Oliver Tree’s Mother Pays Tribute After Post Malone Dedicates Toronto Show to Him

image

Oliver Tree‘s mother has paid tribute to the late artist, with Post Malone also dedicating his recent show in Toronto to the “beautiful man”.

The US singer-songwriter, rapper and producer (full name Oliver Tree Nickell) died in a helicopter crash in Brazil last Sunday (June 14). He was 32 years old. Among those paying their respects online were Kid Cudi, KSI, Bebe Rexha and Tree’s ex-girlfriend Melanie Martinez.

Tree’s mum, Christine Begin Nickell, has now posted a tribute to her son on Facebook. “Our dear son Oliver, you made this world a better place,” she wrote alongside a photograph of a young Tree.

“We are so proud of you. RIP.” She included two heart emojis on either side of a broken heart emoji. See below.

Elsewhere, on Tuesday (June 16), Post Malone took a moment during his concert at Rogers Stadium in Toronto to honour Tree.

“I feel like tonight will be, for me, a celebration of the life of an absolutely beautiful, beautiful man,” he told the audience. “[He was] a gentleman I knew, and was so beautiful and inspired the world with his art, and just his heart and his soul.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we lost a beautiful man named Oliver Tree.”

After the crowd cheered and applauded, Posty continued: “I just want you to know, dude, that we love you so very much. We love you, brother, we love you. We’re just gonna have a great night and celebrate this gentleman. We just love him.”

Watch a fan-shot clip of the moment here:

 

Post Malone is currently out on the road for his 2026 ‘Big Ass Stadium Tour’.

Tree’s passing was confirmed by the Rio De Janeiro Civil Police, who identified him as being among six people killed when two helicopters collided mid-air over the Recreio dos Bandeirantes area. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

Tree rose to fame with his viral hit ‘When I’m Down’ (2016), and signed to Atlantic Records in 2017. His fanbase grew thanks to his blend of alternative pop and absurdist humour, with his distinctive bowl haircut and oversized clothing giving him a unique public image.

The musician released his debut studio album, ‘Ugly Is Beautiful’, in 2020. It included the platinum-certified single ‘Hurt’ and established Tree as a crossover star.

Reviewing the record, NME wrote: “Injecting humour into everything he does while offering a surrealist escape from the mundane everyday – it’s easy to see how Tree’s outlandishness has made him the digital age’s definitive rockstar.”

Three more albums followed in the form of ‘Cowboy Tears’ (2022), ‘Alone In A Crowd’ (2023) and ‘Love You Madly Hate You Badly’ (2026). NME named Tree as one of the standout acts at the Governors Ball 2023.

Meanwhile, Tree had revealed earlier this year that he planned to use his will to give his money “back to artists”.

COMMENTS

Leave a comment

Fred Again.. Launches Free Music Production Workshops For Trans+ Artists In London

image

Fred Again.. is set to host a free production workshop for trans+ musicians in London later this week.

The workshops form part of the newly launched Trans+ Future Sounds initiative, organised by the Trans* Creative Collective. The programme aims to create new opportunities and spaces for trans artists working in music.

Announced via Instagram on Tuesday, June 16, the event has been developed in collaboration with Emily Lazar’s We Are Moving The Needle, a non profit organisation supporting women, non binary and trans producers and engineers.

The sessions will take place at Abbey Road Studios on Friday, June 19, with Fred Again.. leading the workshops alongside a selection of guest contributors.

Organisers say the purpose of the initiative is to “facilitate and support producers and writers from the trans and queer community to become the innovative leading producers the industry needs”. They also highlighted ongoing industry imbalance, referencing a recent We Are Moving The Needle report which found that only 2.3 per cent of producers identify as women, trans or non binary.

 

“We are creating an opportunity to be welcomed to one of the most prestigious recording institutions in the world, to be shown that you are respected and valued,” organisers said. “This is an event to be celebrated for who you are and have a chance to learn from leading professionals in your field.”

Alongside Fred Again.., the lineup of guests includes Sans Soucis, MESSIE, Trans Voices, charlieeeee, Satch, Emily Green, Fuzz Chaudhrey and others. Registration details are available via the official sign-up channels.

“Since we started TCC in 2021, our whole mission has been to make space for trans+ creatives to thrive, not just survive, in the music industry,” said charlieeeee, co founder of TCC and founder of Trans+ Future Sounds.

“Trans+ Future Sounds – made possible alongside our incredible partners We Are Moving The Needle – feels like the fullest expression of that yet. Getting to welcome our community into Abbey Road, one of the most iconic recording spaces in the world, and to have artists like Fred again.. want to give his time and expertise to that community, is genuinely moving.”

“We want every trans+ producer, songwriter and creator who walks through those doors on Friday to feel celebrated. Because they are forging new ground, and we’ll be behind them every step of the way.”

charlieeeee charlieeeee. CREDIT: @JubbigeorgiaRose

Trans Creative Collective, founded in 2021, has since built an international network through workshops, mentoring sessions, community events and industry partnerships. The group has collaborated with organisations including BMG and has been highlighted in the UK Music Diversity Report for its work supporting inclusion in the music industry.

More Trans+ Future Sounds events are expected to be announced in 2026.

For Fred Again.., the workshop follows the conclusion of his extensive ‘USB002’ tour earlier this year, which featured surprise appearances from artists including Underworld, Mike Skinner, Joy Anonymous, La Roux, Nia Archives, The Streets, Romy, D Double E, Berwyn, Ezra Collective and Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk.

His collaborative set with Bangalter took place at Alexandra Palace in London during the final show of the tour and has since been released via Apple Music. He has also recently shared a 108 hour continuous mix built from material created during the tour.

COMMENTS

Leave a comment