Oliver Tree Dies at 32
Oliver Tree, the genre-blurring performer known for viral tracks “Miss You” and “Life Goes On,” has died at the age of 32, according to the Associated Press. Reports state that Tree was aboard one of two helicopters that collided mid-air earlier today in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One of the aircraft went down into a car dealership parking lot, striking electronic vehicles and triggering a fire that was later brought under control by emergency services. Authorities and fire officials confirmed that all six people on board were killed, including DJ and producer Lucas Brito Chaves, YouTuber known as Gaspi, and independent director and screenwriter Lucas Vignale. Tree was 32.
A fixture of internet culture, Tree was instantly recognisable—his signature bowl cut, oversized ’80s-inspired sweatsuit aesthetic, and striking red sunglasses forming a deliberately exaggerated visual identity. Though he had spent more than 15 years developing his music, mainstream breakthrough arrived in the late 2010s, when tracks such as “Hurt,” “Cash Machine,” and “Let Me Down” began climbing rapidly in popularity and circulating widely online. The release of “Life Goes On” marked a turning point, achieving platinum status in under two years, before being overtaken by “Miss You,” which went on to earn 2x platinum certification across five countries.
Born Oliver Tree Nickell on June 29, 1993, in Santa Cruz, California, Oliver Tree began releasing music under the name Tree in 2010. After his first EP, Demons, he broke through virally with “When I’m Down,” three years later, which helped secure a record deal with Atlantic. His official major-label era began in 2017 with “Welcome to LA,” accompanied by the bold visual persona that would become his trademark. Through releases including the 2018 EP Alien Boy and the 2020 album Ugly Is Beautiful, Tree leaned further into surreal, meme-driven aesthetics that often blurred the line between performance and parody.
He later released three additional studio albums: Cowboy Tears in 2022, Alone in a Crowd in 2023, and Love You Madly Hate You Badly earlier this year in April. Across these projects, he maintained steady chart presence and strong social media traction, collaborating with artists such as Diplo and David Guetta, while continuing to build a catalogue that included tracks like “Cowboys Don’t Cry” and “Superhero.” Beyond music, Tree embraced an eccentric creative identity, from comedic stunts like sitting in a bathtub filled with hot Cheetos to setting a Guinness World Record in 2020 for the world’s largest kick scooter.
Fame came quickly and unevenly, and Tree himself often reflected on the emotional weight that followed his rise. In a conversation with NPR, he described a personal journey shaped by sobriety, self-reflection, and a desire to encourage self-acceptance. “My goal is to just show people how to be themselves… so much of my goal is to be able to learn how to love myself and try to show people how to love themselves,” he said, speaking about the pressures of anger, insecurity, and emotional struggle in modern life.
Following the news of his death, tributes poured in across the music industry. Artists including Diplo, Flying Lotus, Kid Cudi, Bebe Rexha, Lil Yachty, and Andy Milonakis shared messages of remembrance. “It’s really hard to understand how someone who you once shared such a specific and formative time of your life with can all of a sudden be gone,” wrote singer Melanie Martinez, who previously dated Tree. She added that his dedication to his art and the joy he brought to those around him would remain lasting memories for those who knew him.
