Oliver Tree, the eccentric American musician and comedian, killed at 32
in a Brazil helicopter crash
[June 23, 2026]
By MARIA SHERMAN
NEW YORK (AP) — Oliver Tree, the eccentric American musician known for
viral stunts, alt-pop tracks like “Alien Boy” and “Life Goes On,” and
his unconventional style, died in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro
on June 14. He was 32.
Representatives for Tree directed The Associated Press to an official
confirmation posted to Tree’s Instagram account.
“Rest in peace Oliver Tree Nickell June 29, 1993 — June 14, 2026. Your
legacy will live on forever,” the caption read next to a slideshow of
images reflecting Tree’s life and career.
“His legacy will live on through his foundation/endowment named ‘Dr.
Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Grant For Baby Geniuses’ coming soon. This
is something that Oliver had put together before his passing, written in
his will,” the caption continued. “We will make sure his wish comes to
fruition so that more joy, love and art can be spread into the world,
that was his final wish.”
On the morning of June 14, two helicopters collided and crashed in the
Brazilian city’s Western zone, killing all six people aboard,
firefighters said. Police confirmed that Tree was on the list of
passengers given to aviation authorities. Argentine streaming channel
Blender said that content creator Gaspar Prim Díaz, known as Gaspi, was
also in one of the helicopters.
Tree was in the middle of his world tour at the time, which kicked off
in Mexico City on May 30 and was scheduled to hit all seven continents.
An outsider in pop and a viral hitmaker
Born June 29, 1993 in California, Oliver Tree Nickell June, a pop
outsider with a knack for internet virality, was known for his own
myth-making. Rocking bright ’80s fashion and a distinctive bowl cut,
Tree told interviewers he started piano lessons when he was 3 years old
and had an album written by age 6. When he started his recording career
in the 2010s, he did so while creating characters and making memes as he
made music.
He released an electronic EP, “Demons,” under the name “Tree” in 2013 on
R&S Records and scored a crucial feature on DJ and music producer
Whethan’s 2016 single “When I’m Down,” growing his profile and online
interest. That same year, he signed to the major label Atlantic Records
and began recording as Oliver Tree.
In 2018, he released his “Alien Boy” EP with the record company,
anchored by the double music video “All That x Alien Boy.” His specific
visual language — off-kilter, comedic, collaborative — scored him
legions of fans. To date, the video has over 52 million views on
YouTube. And the single “Alien Boy” was certified platinum by the
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) — his first of a few.
His other platinum-certified songs include 2018’s “Hurt,” 2021’s “Life
Goes On” and 2022’s “Miss You” with German musician and DJ Robin Schulz.
Over the years, his music evolved, marrying the genres of alternative
rock, hip-hop and electro-pop with his cheeky flair.
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Oliver Tree performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in
Austin, Texas, on Oct. 16, 2022. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP,
File)
 His comedic persona continued to
develop at the same pace: Consider the music video for 2018’s
“Movement,” where he bathed in a tub filled with Flaming Hot Cheetos
and dubbed it an online “challenge.” Or his 2020 major label
full-length debut “Ugly Is Beautiful,” released weeks after he set
the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest kick scooter.
Then came 2022’s “Cowboy Tears,” a humorous country detour, 2023’s
“Alone in the Crowd,” which follows the story of a character named
Cornelius Cummings, and most recently, his entirely self-produced
2026 album, “Love You Madly Hate You Badly.”
All the while, his social media profile continued to explode due to
his humorous antics and hooky-heavy songs. On TikTok, he boasts of
22.6 million followers — as well as 8.6 million on YouTube and 5
million on Instagram.
Tributes to Tree quickly poured in from other musicians
As news of Tree’s death broke online, famous fans and friends began
paying homage to him.
“Spoke to Oliver a few weeks ago. This is heartbreaking. A really
amazing and beautiful human,” rapper Kid Cudi wrote on X. “Sending
all my prayers and love to the families dealing with losses. Oliver
we love you, forever.”
“Been an absolute wreck today. 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,” singer Melanie Martínez
wrote Sunday in an Instagram Story post. “He was so dedicated to his
art which I admired and respected so deeply. I think everyone who
knew him will look back at those moments of laughter and joy he so
easily sparked. His laugh was so contagious and warm.”
“I’m in shock … I can’t believe it,” wrote singer Bebe Rexha on X.
“He was so smart. Passionate. Talented. Kind. I’m so sad. May he
rest in peace.”
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