On a poignant evening at Rogers Stadium in Toronto, Post Malone transformed what was meant to be a typical stop on his tour into a heartfelt memorial for his close friend and collaborator, Oliver Tree. The event took place on June 16, marking one of the most emotional performances of the artist’s career.
“I feel like tonight will be, for me, a celebration of the life of an absolutely beautiful, beautiful man,” Malone shared with the audience, visibly moved by the occasion.
The Grammy-nominated artist chose to dedicate the entire show to Tree, who tragically passed away at the age of 32 following a devastating helicopter collision over Rio de Janeiro on June 14. The accident claimed the lives of six people, including the genre-defying singer, songwriter, and producer who had been traveling through South America as part of his World’s First World Tour.
“I’ve known this gentleman for years, and he was so beautiful, and inspired the world with his art, and just his heart and his soul,” Malone continued, fighting back tears. “Ladies and gentlemen, we lost a beautiful soul named Oliver Tree.“
Tree, whose full name was Oliver Tree Nickell, had recently released his fourth studio album, “Love You Madly Hate You Badly,” in April of that year. His unique blend of alternative rock, pop, and electronic elements had earned him a devoted fanbase and critical acclaim since he first emerged in the music industry.
“I just want you to know dude that we love you so very much, we love you brother,” Malone expressed. “We’re just gonna have a great night and celebrate this gentleman.”
The evening continued with Malone pouring his drink onto the stage in a traditional toast to his fallen friend, creating a powerful moment that resonated throughout the packed stadium.
Tree’s career began with the release of his EP “Demons” in 2013, but he gained significant mainstream attention with the 2016 single “When I’m Down,” which led to a record deal with Atlantic Records the following year. His discography includes notable albums such as “Ugly Is Beautiful” (2020), “Cowboy Tears” (2022), and “Alone in a Crowd” (2023).
His signature look, featuring a distinctive bowl haircut and heavy dark glasses, became instantly recognizable in the music world. Among his biggest hits were “Life Goes On,” which reached No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart in 2022, and “Miss You,” his collaboration with Robin Schulz, which achieved No. 4 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in 2022.
Fellow artist Melanie Martinez, who previously dated Tree a few years ago, shared her own emotional tribute on social media. “I’ve been an absolute wreck since the news,” she wrote on Instagram Stories. “It’s really hard to understand how someone who you once shared such a specific and formative time of your life with can all of a sudden be gone. He was so dedicated to his art which I admired and respected so deeply.”
Born on June 29, 1993, in Santa Cruz, California, Tree leaves behind a legacy of innovation and creativity that touched countless fans around the world.
The North American leg of Post Malone’s Big Ass Stadium Tour concludes on July 28 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, before he continued to Asia and Australia for additional dates throughout the remainder of 2026.
