UMVA has learned that the music world was rocked by a devastating helicopter collision that claimed the life of singer Oliver Tree and five others on Sunday morning.
The tragedy unfolded above an electric‑vehicle yard in Rio de Janeiro, where two helicopters crashed into each other, sending wreckage spiraling into the sky.
Friends and collaborators rushed to share their grief. YouTuber KSI posted a raw, trembling message: “Can’t believe I’m actually having to type this. You’re 32, man. You should still be here. So much music to make, so much content to make. You’re a legend and will always be a legend.”
Diplo, who considered Tree his dream collaborator, said, “When people ask me who my dream collaborator is, I never gave the right answer… It is, and always will be, Oliver Tree.” He added that the loss feels unreal and that the world will never see another soul like him.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the victims included Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim, known as Gaspi, and passengers Lucas Vignale, Lucas Brito Chaves, along with pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.
Emergency crews swarmed the crash site, their lights flashing against the early morning sky as investigators began piecing together what caused the deadly collision.
Oliver Tree, 32, was midway through an ambitious world tour for his album *Love You Madly, Hate You Badly*, a journey that had already taken him from Mexico City to stages across Asia, Antarctica, New Zealand and South Africa.
Rising to fame at 17, Tree first made waves crafting presentations for Skrillex and Zeds Dead, before breaking through with the viral hit “When I’m Down.” His subsequent albums—*Ugly Is Beautiful*, *Cowboy Tears*, and *Alone in a Crowd*—cemented his reputation as a genre‑bending visionary.
Beyond the music, Tree’s unmistakable look—bowl‑cut hair, neon‑bright wardrobe, and a flair for theatrical chaos—made him a cultural icon, especially on TikTok where tracks like “Life Goes On” and “Alien Boy” exploded.
In a heartfelt Instagram note earlier this year, he confessed that the internet’s relentless noise had once drained his soul, but his latest work had reignited his belief in humanity’s goodness.
Tributes poured in from across the industry. Bebe Rexha expressed shock, recalling a recent studio session they shared. Kid Cudi called the loss “heartbreaking,” while T‑Pain posted a video of their creative exchange, promising to never forget the lesson Tree taught him.
Comedian Whitney Cummings described Tree as “pure love, the best version of what an artist and person can be,” lamenting that there was no silver lining to this loss.
Even former partner Melanie Martinez mourned publicly, calling him a “true artist” whose laughter and childlike wonder left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him.
As the investigation continues, the music community grapples with the sudden void left by a man who lived at full volume, never apologizing for the chaos he created.
