Artist, DJ, and producer Tim Bergling, a.k.a. Avicii, died Friday afternoon in Oman, according to a statement from his rep. He was 28.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii,” the statement reads. “He was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20th. The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given.”
One of the most popular and successful electronic dance-music artists of all time — he scored a No. 4 hit on the Billboard 200 in 2013 with “Wake Me Up” regularly appeared in the Top 5 of Forbes’ “Highest-Paid DJs” lists — he retired from live performing in 2016 at the peak of his success, citing health reasons. He had suffered from health problems for several years, including acute pancreatitis, in part due to excessive drinking. He had his gallbladder and appendix removed in 2014.
He posted the following statement on his website last year:
“WE ALL REACH A POINT IN OUR LIVES AND CAREERS WHERE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT MATTERS THE MOST TO US.
For me it’s creating music. That is what I live for, what I feel I was born to do.
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Last year I quit performing live, and many of you thought that was it. But the end of live never meant the end of Avicii or my music. Instead, I went back to the place where it all made sense – the studio.
The next stage will be all about my love of making music to you guys. It is the beginning of something new.
Hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.”
Bergling was born in Stockholm on Sept. 8, 1989. He began DJing as a teenager and released his first single in 2007. He released a large number of singles and remixes in the following years and rapidly built a reputation as a live act. He broke through with his 2010 hit “Seek Bromance,” which charted in several European countries; he signed a publishing deal with EMI the same year. He explained his chosen DJ name as “the lowest level of Buddhist hell,” chosen because his real name was already being used by another Tim Bergling on MySpace.
His 2011 single “Levels,” which was later nominated for a Grammy Award, vaulted him into the mainstream, charting in multiple European countries and topping the chart in his native Sweden. “Sunshine,” his 2012 collaboration with David Guetta, was nominated for a Grammy for best dance recording. In September of that year, he became the first DJ to headline New York’s prestigious Radio City Music Hall; at those two shows, he previewed a new song with Mike Posner titled “Stay with You.”
His proper debut album, “True,” was released on September 2013, much of which was previewed during his headlining set at the Ultra Music Festival earlier that year. The album featured “Wake Me Up,” a collaboration with Aloe Blacc, which topped the charts in multiple countries across the world and was No. 1 for a record 14 weeks on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Songs chart; it was also the U.K.’s fastest-selling single of 2013. Other singers on the album included Adam Lambert and Audra Mae. He also worked with Madonna during this period and contributed to two songs on her 2015 album “Rebel Heart,” although both parties seemed unhappy with the collaboration and Avicii said the final versions were quite different from his demos.
The extent of his popularity was reflected in a 2014 “Saturday Night Live” digital short called “When Will the Bass Drop?,” with comic Andy Samberg playing a fictional mega-DJ named “Davvincii” (although he was made up to look more like David Guetta).
However, as his popularity rose, his health declined. He was hospitalized in March 2014 and cancelled several tour appearances; not long after, he collaborated with Carlos Santana and Wyclef on the official FIFA World Cut Anthem “We Will Find a Way.” Also that year, he produced a song on Coldplay’s album “Ghost Stories.” He released his second full-length album, “Stories,” in October 2015.
In March of 2016, he performed at the Ultra Music Festival, premiering new material, but 10 days later announced that he was retiring from performing. He made a final live appearance in August in Ibiza. In December, he parted ways with longtime manager Ash Pournouri.
In August of 2017 he released a six-track EP entitled “Avici,” which he said was the first of three installments that would be his next album. He followed a month later with a full-length documentary called “True Stories,” which was largely about his retirement. In it, promoters are seen trying to convince him to continue touring, even though he’s in obvious physical pain. “I looked at myself like, ‘F—, you should’ve really stood up for yourself more there. Come on, Tim!,'” he said of the documentary to Rolling Stone in an interview published last September. “Why didn’t I stop the ship earlier?”
“I needed to figure out my life,” he continued. “The whole thing was about success for the sake of success. I wasn’t getting any happiness anymore. Now that I have more time in the studio, I want to learn as much about other genres as possible. That’s what I love the most – having a session with Nile Rodgers, for instance, and getting an understanding of music that’s invaluable.”
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Swedish DJ Avicii Dead at 28
Swedish DJ Avicii, real name Tim Bergling, died at age 28 on Friday, April 20, his publicist confirmed.
"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii," his publicist Diana Baron said in a statement. "He was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20th. The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given."
Bergling started out releasing music on Laidback Luke Forum in the late '00s, where DJs and producers would post music and seek feedback from budding peers. In 2011, he broke through to an international audience with the progressive house track "Levels," which hit No. 1 in his native Sweden and on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs chart -- and earned him a Grammy nod. His 2012 David Guetta collab "Sunshine" earned him a Grammy nomination as well, and that same year, he became the first electronic DJ/producer to headline New York City's storied Radio City Music Hall.
In 2013, Avicii released his debut studio album, True, which featured the game-changing, massive international hit "Wake Me Up!" ft. Aloe Blacc. Combining EDM, folk and country music, the song became a No. 1 hit in many countries and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. His second album, Stories, dropped in 2015 and featured vocals from Chris Martin, Wyclef Jean, Robbie Williams, Matisyahu, Brandon Flowers, Gavin DeGraw and more. The EP Avīci (01) came out in Aug. 2017 and featured his Rita Ora collaboration "Lonely Together."
Avicii's health issues were known to the public for several years prior to his death. He suffered from acute pancreatitis, in part due to excessive drinking. In 2014, he canceled numerous shows in order to recover after having his gallbladder and appendix removed.
Eventually, he decided to retire from touring entirely in an emotional letter penned in March 2016.
“To me it was something I had to do for my health,” Bergling told The Hollywood Reporter in 2016. “The scene was not for me. It was not the shows and not the music. It was always the other stuff surrounding it that never came naturally to me. All the other parts of being an artist. I'm more of an introverted person in general. It was always very hard for me. I took on board too much negative energy, I think.”
Kapanlagi.com - Kabar duka datang dari salah satu musisi berbakat. Avicii yang dikenal sebagai seorang DJ dan produser ditemukan meninggal dunia dalam usia yang bisa dibilang masih muda, 28 tahun. Berita duka ini disampaikan dalam pernyataan resmi yang dikeluarkan oleh mendiang.
"Ini adalah kesedihan mendalam bagi kami untuk mengumumkan kepergian Tim Bergling, juga dikenal sebagai Avicii. Dia ditemukan meninggal di Muscat, Oman pada Jumat sore waktu setempat, 20 April. Keluarga merasa hancur dan kami meminta semua orang untuk menghormati privasi mereka di masa sulit ini. Tidak ada pernyataan lebih lanjut yang akan diberikan," ujar pernyataan resmi dari pihak mendiang, seperti dilansir dari Variety.
Seperti yang disebut di atas, nama asli dari Avicii adalah Tim Bergling. Tapi dia memutuskan untuk memakai nama panggung Avicii yang berarti neraka level terendah dalam ajaran Budha. Dia memutuskan memakai nama Avicii karena nama aslinya sudah dipakai untuk membuat akun media sosial MySpace.
Postingan terakhir Avicii, 5 April lalu © instagram.com/avicii Postingan terakhir Avicii, 5 April lalu © instagram.com/avicii
Avicii yang berasal dari Swedia dikenal sebagai musisi di tahun 2007 saat ia bergabung dengan label Dejfitts Plays. Di tahun 2010, dia memperoleh kepopuleran lewat lagu Seek Bromance yang berhasil memasuki tangga lagu di 20 negara termasuk Inggris, Belanda, dan Prancis.
Sepanjang karirnya sosok Avicii telah melahirkan lagu-lagu hits seperti Wake Me Up, Hey Brother, Levels, You Make Me, The Days, dan lain-lain. Di April 2016, Avicii memutuskan untuk pensiun dari tur karena kondisi kesehatan dan penampilan live-nya yang terakhir di Ibiza pada Agustus di tahun tersebut. Tahun 2017, Avicii masih sempat merilis sebuah mini album berisi 6 lagu serta membuat dokumentasi berjudul AVICII: TRUE STORIES.
Rest in peace, Tim Bergling. You will be deeply missed!
World-famous DJ Avicii has died at the age of 28.
The body of the Swedish-born producer, who is known for his EDM hits Wake Me Up, Levels and Hey Brother, was found in Oman on Friday, a publicist confirmed.
The cause of Avicii's death is not yet known.
Avicii, born Tim Bergling, quit touring in 2016 due to battles with his health, suffering from acute pancreatitis and had to have his gallbladder and appendix removed in 2014.
In the past, the DJ struggled with addiction and was hospitalised twice for alcohol related issues.
The musician was seen just days ago while posing with fans at the luxury Muscat Hills Resort, which could be some of the last photos of him alive.
Last picture? Avicii was found dead aged 28 in Oman on Friday. The musician was seen days ago at Muscat Hills Resort, posing with DJ Maitrai Joshi (pictured)
A fan posted this photo of the musician, writing: 'RIP @avicii, can't believe I got to meet you in Muscat just 6 days ago, far too young to go'
Avicii dead at 28: Swedish DJ Tim Bergling's body found in Oman leaving family 'devastated'; he is seen in Los Angeles late last year
Although the DJ had been hospitalised in the past for excessive drinking, he claimed to have never taken the drug MDMA or Molly, which is known for being popular with fans of his music
The DJ's publicist said in a statement: 'It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii.
'He was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20th.
'The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given.'
No more details about his death were provided. Oman police and state media had no immediate report late Friday night on the artist's death.
Maitrai Joshi, who is resident DJ at the resort, is seen in one of the photos with Avicii at the resort.
Joshi, 29, told Mail Online that he met the famous producer last weekend, seeing him on Friday and Saturday.
He said: 'It was shocking for us to see him there in Oman. He was on vacation, he said it was his first time in Oman.'
The DJ was enjoying himself so much in the Middle Eastern country that he extended his stay an extra eight days; he was supposed to go home that Sunday, according to Joshi.
Joshi said he didn't recall if Avicii was drinking but noted that he was in good spirits while enjoying the luxury resort with a small group of friends.
He added to Norwegian paper VG: 'He was very nice, in good shape. Last Friday they were out on a boat, and the day after I know he was having dinner with friends. This is shocking news.
'I do not know what might have happened. He was very nice and happy.'
American Christina Hlosek also was seen in a photo with Avicii, she said: 'It's a shock to me that he's dead now. I could not believe the news when I read it.'
In November 2017, footage (pictured) was released of the musician hospital-ridden in Australia while struggling with his health during his worldwide arena tour
Last post: Avicii shared this picture of himself posing in the rain on April 4, writing 'It's always sunny in California'
Avicii battled with acute pancreatitis - which is a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas - due in part to excessive drinking.
As a result he had his gallbladder and appendix removed in 2014, cancelling a series of shows in attempt to recover.
He quit touring in 2016 in order to focus on his health and recovery.
In November 2017, footage was released of the musician hospital-ridden in Australia while struggling with his health during his worldwide arena tour.
The snippet was from the Swedish artist's documentary, AVICII: TRUE STORIES.
The clip was uploaded to Avicii's Facebook and the star admitted at the time he was apprehensive about sharing his in-depth battles against stress, anxiety and illness.
He wrote about the video: 'I'm really excited. I'm also a bit nervous because it is kind of gritty sometimes. It's very personal. There's a lot of ups and downs. It's going to be interesting to see what people say.'
Footage shot by documentary maker Levan Tsikurishvili between 2013 and 2016 shows Australian doctors telling the DJ his gall bladder needs removing.
'Normally you'd take your gall bladder out before you go home on hospital admission, the reason being, so you don't get another attack in the mean time,' the doctor says.
'We understand your situation in that you're in the middle of a world tour...we think at some stage you need your gall bladder out.'
The video later shows the 28-year-old appearing disoriented and light-headed as he tried to grasp what day it is.
He looked exhausted, and his eyes went into a haze and rolled back into his head several times.
The DJ was last romantically linked to former Canadian model Raquel Bettencourt (pictured together in 2013)
He won two MTV Music Awards, one Billboard Music Award and earned two Grammy nominations. Known for Wake Me Up! The Days, You Make Me, and the recent Lonely Together with Rita Ora, Avicii's biggest hit was Levels
Pictured: The late producer and DJ with his mother during his childhood
Although the DJ had been hospitalised in the past for excessive drinking, he claimed to have never taken the drug MDMA or Molly, which is known for being popular with fans of his music.
In an interview with GQ in 2013, he said: 'I mean, I want to take it. But I'm sort of afraid of anything that makes you feel out of control.'
In the piece, he also touched on his battle with anxiety and drinking.
He said: 'You are traveling around, you live in a suitcase, you get to this place, there’s free alcohol everywhere—it’s sort of weird if you don’t drink.
'I just got into a habit, because you rely on that encouragement and self-confidence you get from alcohol, and then you get dependent on it.'
Although he quit touring two years ago, the DJ continued making music in the studio, and collaborated with everyone from Madonna to Coldplay.
'It's been a very crazy journey. I started producing when I was 16. I started touring when I was 18. From that point on, I just jumped into 100 percent,' Avicii told Billboard magazine in 2016.
'When I look back on my life, I think: whoa, did I do that? It was the best time of my life in a sense. It came with a price - a lot of stress a lot of anxiety for me - but it was the best journey of my life.'
Avicii was a pioneer of the contemporary Electronic Dance Movement and a rare DJ capable of worldwide arena tour.
Fellow producer Calvin Harris was one of the first to tweet, writing: 'Devastating news about Avicii. A beautiful soul, passionate and extremely talented with so much more to do. My heart goes out to his family. God bless you Tim'
Avicii was part of the wave of DJ-producers, like David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia, who broke out on the scene as lead performers in their own right. Pictured: Louis Tomlinson posted this photo with the DJ
Famous friends: The DJ is pictured right, with Steve Aoki and Armin van Buuren
Popular: With Austin Mahone and reality star turned model Kendall Jenner
He was part of the wave of DJ-producers, like David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia, who broke out on the scene as lead performers in their own right, earning international hits, fame, awards and more like typical pop stars.
Avicii earned $250,000 a night when playing out sold-out shows, according to GQ, and was once named as one of Forbes' highest paid DJs.
He won two MTV Music Awards, one Billboard Music Award and earned two Grammy nominations. Known for Wake Me Up! The Days, You Make Me, and the recent Lonely Together with Rita Ora, Avicii's biggest hit was Levels.
Avicii's death comes just days after he was nominated for a Billboard Music Award for top dance/electronic album for his EP Avicii (01), which he released last August.
Last year, the musician posted a statement on his website in which he said creating music was what he lived for.
He wrote: '[Creating music] is what I live for, what I feel I was born to do.
'Last year I quit performing live, and many of you thought that was it. But the end of live never meant the end of Avicii or my music. Instead, I went back to the place where it all made sense – the studio.
'The next stage will be all about my love of making music to you guys. It is the beginning of something new.'
As news of his death broke on Friday, Avicii's celebrity friends rushed to pay tribute.
Popular: Avicii was a pioneer of the contemporary Electronic Dance Movement and a rare DJ capable of worldwide arena tour
Condolences: Avicii's collaborators and friends rushed to pay tribute as the news broke
Tragedy: Dua Lipa followed suit saying: 'Such sad news to hear about Avicii passing. Too young and way too soon. My condolences go out to his family, friends and fans x.'
Fellow producer Calvin Harris was one of the first to tweet, writing: 'Devastating news about Avicii. A beautiful soul, passionate and extremely talented with so much more to do. My heart goes out to his family. God bless you Tim.'
Former One Direction star Liam Payne wrote: 'Oh my god truly devastated for Avicii very very sad news way to young ... what a talent he was. rest in peace.'
Charlie Puth added: 'Wow, I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to the man who really opened my eyes as to what my productions could one day sound like. Avicii was a genius and a music innovator, and I can not believe he is no longer with us. RIP to the very best.'
Dua Lipa followed suit saying: 'Such sad news to hear about Avicii passing. Too young and way too soon. My condolences go out to his family, friends and fans x.' (sic)
Ellie Goulding expressed: 'Rest easy Avicii, you inspired so many of us. Wish I could have said that to you in person x.' (sic)
Fans were likewise distressed,flooding social media with tributes.
