The entertainment world was left reeling after news broke confirming the death of American singer Oliver Tree.
Reports from outlets including CNN Brazil and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that the artist, widely recognised for his distinctive bowl haircut and larger-than-life persona, had passed away.
Tree was among six people who lost their lives in a mid-air helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
According to CNN Brazil, the crash took place in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in the city’s western zone on Sunday morning, when two aircraft collided in the sky above the area.
The 32-year-old artist had built a devoted fanbase through his genre-blending sound, with standout tracks including “Life Goes On” and “Miss You” — his chart-topping collaboration with Robin Schulz.
Beyond music, he was a multifaceted creative — working as a filmmaker and record producer — celebrated for his bold, unconventional artistic vision.
Footage and images from the crash site circulated on social media shortly after the incident, with one widely shared clip showing an individual attempting to battle flames engulfing one of the downed helicopters using a fire extinguisher.
Born Oliver Tree Nickell on June 29, 1993, in Santa Cruz, California, Tree first rose to prominence in 2016 through his alter ego “Turbo” — a character defined by his trademark bowl cut, baggy retro clothing, and off-kilter humour.
That same year, his feature on “When I’m Down” caught widespread attention and laid the groundwork for a recording deal with Atlantic Records.
Fans flooded social media with tributes following news of his death, many expressing disbelief at the loss of someone so young. Condolences poured in from followers and fellow artists alike, honouring both the man and his legacy.
Watch a video showing the crash scene below:
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