Tributes are pouring out for singer-songwriter Oliver Tree, who died in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro on June 15, 2026. Among the ones honoring him is the American electronic music duo Louis the Child.
On X/Twitter, DJs Robby Hauldren and Frederic “Freddy” Kennett—who collaborated with the late singer for Spook Me Out, My People, Good Luck Have Fun, and more—paid tribute to Tree with a poignant message and revelation on how they first met.
“We’ll never forget the day we met you Oliver. You came over to the 145 house to make some music. Bowl cut, beavis and butthead sweatpants on, still going by ‘Tree’. You freestyled for 10 minutes straight in the upstairs studio and right when you finished everyone else in the house bust open the door screaming ‘who are you?!?'”
The tribute also came alongside throwback snippets of the three of them together, one of which shows Tree acting goofy and making silly expressions while drinking. In another clip, where he sports red sunnies and his infamous bowl cut, he tosses a piece of bread straight into the microwave.
Known for songs including Life Goes On, When I’m Down, and Miss You, Oliver Tree built a large international following through his music and distinctive public persona.
His musicality, a blend of alternative music, pop, and electronic influences, helped him reach millions of listeners around the world. Louis the Child, in their heartfelt letter on X, continued to praise the late singer for it.
“We all were blown away by the sound of your voice. Since then we got to witness how extra special of a human you were. Incredibly funny, incredibly driven, and a huge heart. Always a smile on your face, always some new crazy plan, always looking out for your friends. One of a kind. Rest in Peace @Olivertree”
Oliver Tree death: A brief revisit to Life Goes On and Miss You
Per CNN Brasil, the California-born artist was among six people who reportedly died after two helicopters collided on Sunday morning in the southwestern part of Rio de Janeiro.
Just a day before the reported crash, Oliver Tree had been sharing updates and content from his trip to Brazil on social media, giving fans a glimpse into his travels before the tragedy took his life.
Throughout his career, Oliver Tree became known for his unique visual identity and genre-blending sound, releasing several popular tracks that found success on streaming platforms and social media.
His songs became global hits and introduced his work to audiences across multiple countries. In 2021, Life Goes On became a viral sensation on TikTok, while Miss You met fame on the platform in the third quarter of 2022.
As of writing, Oliver Tree’s family and team have not yet announced any public funeral or memorial arrangements.
At the time of the initial reports, representatives for Oliver Tree had not publicly commented on his reported death or responded to media requests for confirmation.
Authorities in Brazil are expected to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision. Further details about the crash and the identities of the victims are expected to emerge as officials continue their probe.
Edited by Gladys Altamarino