Just weeks before his death in a helicopter crash in Brazil, Oliver Tree revealed the unconventional financial arrangements in his will, stating that none of his wealth would go to family members. The American alt-pop singer, best known for his viral hit “Miss You” and eccentric public persona, was among six people killed when two helicopters collided mid-air above Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. He was 32.
During an appearance on the Zach Sang Show in April, Tree explained that his estate is structured to bypass traditional inheritance. “I don’t believe that any of the wealth, or the things that get made from it, is mine,” he said. “So when I die, my will is set up that when I pass, my family, no one’s going to get a penny.” Instead, he established a foundation called Dr. Oliver Tree’s Art Grants for Baby Geniuses, which will collect the interest and residual value from his music and art. The funds are designated solely for “the physical making of art,” with a committee voting on annual grants in the spirit of his creative project.
Tree’s death occurred during a world tour supporting his fourth studio album, Love You Madly, Hate You Badly. He had performed in São Paulo on 6 June and was scheduled to headline in Lisbon on 1 July. The crash, which involved two helicopters, saw one aircraft plummet onto a car dealership, sparking a fire among electric vehicles. Brazilian authorities have launched an official investigation into the cause of the collision, according to CNN Brazil. The other victims were identified as Lucas Brito Chaves, Gaspar Prim, Lucas Vignale, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.
Born Oliver Tree Nickell in Santa Cruz, California, the singer first gained fame on Vine through his alter ego Turbo, later building a global following with genre-blending tracks and a distinctive visual style—complete with a bowl cut, oversized jeans, and bright outfits. His 2016 single “When I’m Down” marked his breakthrough, and he continued to cultivate a cult fanbase in the UK and beyond. While his music is not currently available on BBC or ITV platforms, it is streamed widely on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music in the UK.
The singer’s decision to redirect his wealth to artists rather than family has sparked discussion about legacy and financial ethics in the music industry. Tree had previously stated that his foundation would not fund education or equipment, but would pay people to physically produce art. “People will finally appreciate my stupid videos and my stupid songs,” he said. “That’s when people appreciate you, when you’re not there anymore.”