Oliver Tree Dead at 32: “Alien Boy” Singer Dies

Oliver Tree, the California-born singer-songwriter known for songs including “Life Goes On,” “When I’m Down” and “Miss You,” died in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, according to CNN Brazil. He was 32. CNN Brazil reported that the crash occurred Sunday morning in the southwest of Rio de Janeiro and involved two helicopters. The accident left six people dead, including Tree. His representatives did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.

Tree became known for his bowl cut, colorful ’80s-inspired style and offbeat public image. He began his career in the San Francisco Bay Area as an electronic music producer under the name Tree, working in dubstep and related styles. In 2013, he released his first EP, Demons, through R&S Records.

His profile expanded in 2016 when Whethan released “When I’m Down,” featuring Tree. The track helped introduce him to a wider pop audience. A month later, he signed with Atlantic Records and released “Welcome to LA,” his first single under the name Oliver Tree.

Tree’s 2018 EP Alien Boy marked a major rise in his popularity, both in electronic music and online culture. The project’s double music video “All That x Alien Boy,” which he wrote and directed, drew more than 50 million views and helped define his retro, eccentric visual identity for a broader audience.

At the time of his death, Tree was in the middle of a headlining world tour supporting his fourth studio album, Love You Madly, Hate You Badly. The album was fully self-produced. The tour began on May 30 in Mexico City and was scheduled to continue through stops in China, Japan, Antarctica, New Zealand and South Africa.

Tree’s career was marked by a blend of genre-crossing music, self-directed visuals and a highly recognizable persona that made him a standout figure in both pop and internet culture.