EDM DJ-Producer Avicii Dead at 28
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii,” rep writes
Swedish DJ Avicii. Photo: Press image
Tim Bergling, the Swedish EDM DJ and producer known as Avicii, died Friday at the age of 28, his representative confirmed. A cause of death was not immediately revealed.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii,” the musician’s rep wrote 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.”
One of EDM’s most popular acts, Bergling found crossover success with his 2011 hit “Levels,” an Etta James-sampling smash that went platinum in the United States and topped the singles charts in dozens of countries. “Wake Me Up” followed two years later, with the Aloe Blacc-featuring single peaking at Number Four on the Hot 100.
Bergling released a pair of albums, 2013’s True and 2015’s Stories, before the DJ announced in 2016 that he would retire from touring.
“My choices and career have never been driven by material things, although I’m grateful for all the opportunities and comforts my success has availed me,” he wrote to fans.” I know I am blessed to be able to travel all around the world and perform, but I have too little left for the life of a real person behind the artist.”
The touring retirement came two years after Avicii, one of the highest-paid DJs on the EDM circuit, canceled a series of concerts, including a Las Vegas residency, due to health problems.
“I needed to figure out my life. The whole thing was about success for the sake of success. I wasn’t getting any happiness anymore.” Bergling told Rolling Stone in September 2017 following the release of his AvÄ«ci (01) EP, his last output as a recording artist. “EDM started getting oversaturated four, five, six years ago, when money became everything. From that point, I started mentally not wanting to associate myself with EDM.”
In addition to his own work, Bergling was an in-demand collaborator and remixer who worked alongside artists like Coldplay (“A Sky Full of Stars,” “Hymn for the Weekend”), Wyclef Jean and Santana (the 2014 World Cup anthem “Dar um Jeito”) Madonna, Robyn, Major Lazer and Daft Punk. “Sunshine,” a collaboration with David Guetta, earned a Best Dance Recording Grammy nomination in 2012.
Mike Posner’s 2015 hit “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” was based on the singer’s experience at an Avicii concert. “Mike’s a good friend, so I took it as an honor,” Bergling told Rolling Stone of the tribute.
Avicii – “Wake Me Up”
Avicii – “Levels”
Coldplay – “Hymn for the Weekend”
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