Oliver Tree

“No matter how strange you think you look, no matter how ugly you feel, you are beautiful.”

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

The biggest city in the world that you never heard of

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

Today marks the 3 year anniversary of Oliver’s album ‘Alone in a Crowd’. To celebrate, we’ve put out a full length edit of his music video series he shot and directed in Belgrade, Serbia. These 3 videos for Bounce, One & Only and With You were always meant to be watched together to get the full story of the character for this album. The Remarkable Life of Cornelius Cummings. Out now on Oliver’s YouTube.

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Oliver’s Celebration of Life, whether in person or via the livestream. Your love and support have meant so much.

If you weren’t able to watch live, the full celebration is now available on Oliver’s YouTube channel.

We look forward to continuing to share the art, stories, laughter, and love that Oliver left with the world.

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

This Saturday, July 25, we will be celebrating the life of Oliver Tree Nickell.

The program and livestream will begin at 7:30pm PST and consist of live music, tribute videos from Oliver’s life, and various speakers from Oliver's friends and family.

Limited tickets are available but there will also be a live stream for those who can’t make it in person.

Link in bio to sign up.

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

Oliver Nickell

June 29th, 1993 – June 14th, 2026

Oliver Tree Nickell, beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend, passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday, June 14, 2026, in a tragic accident at the age of 32. Known as Oliver Tree, he was an artist, storyteller, singer, songwriter, producer, director, editor, actor, filmmaker, entertainer, traveler and creative force; he had just performed in São Paulo as part of his 7-continent world tour.

Oliver was born in Santa Cruz, California. From the beginning, Oliver always had the most astonishing and relentless creative drive. He began producing skits, music, and drawings as early as 5 years old. He spent ten years racing BMX, cycle cross, cross country, mountain biking, downhill racing and free-style dirt jumping. Oliver was a DJ in his teenage years and started performing shows under the name "Kryph", where he opened up for big artists in the dance scene. At 17, he signed with R&S Records, under the moniker "Tree", where he put out his first official body of work "Splitting Branches”. During this period, he attended San Francisco State University and later graduated from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in 2017. At CalArts, Oliver created the “Oliver Tree” project, which included producing, directing, acting, touring, film-making, and song-writing.

In 2016, “Turbo” was born, a character he developed for the internet, who was loud, colorful, bright and hilarious. That same year, he released his first single on all platforms as Oliver Tree, in collaboration with Whethan titled "When I'm Down". The song became a huge success and went gold. In 2017, Oliver signed with Atlantic Records and shortly after released his first viral hit song “Alien Boy” which was produced with his childhood friend Casey Mattson, as well as frequent collaborator Imad Royal. It was a song that truly encapsulated the Oliver Tree brand. Oliver then went on to release his debut album “Ugly Is Beautiful”, which hit the top 15 of Billboard 200 and reached number 1 on Billboard‘s Top Rock Albums and Alternative Albums charts. Oliver also released a deluxe version of the album which included the song "Life Goes On", a track that was produced with long-time friend and collaborator Getter. This song propelled Oliver into a global audience and was a commercial hit. Followed by the success of Oliver’s song "Miss You”, with Robin Schulz, which became a worldwide hit and was nominated for Best International Song (The BRIT Awards) in 2024.

Oliver never stopped reinventing himself. Each album featured a distinct character in the Oliver Tree universe: Turbo for “Ugly is Beautiful” in 2020, Shawney Bravo for “Cowboy Tears" in 2022, Cornelius Cummings for “Alone in A Crowd" in 2023 up until "Love You Madly Hate You Badly” in 2026, where he removed the fake personas and decided to show the world his true self for his final album which was 100% written and produced by Oliver.

Oliver had a deep curiosity about the world and wanted to experience every country and culture. Over the past two years, Oliver was a global citizen, visiting over 100 countries: eating local cuisine; connecting with locals of all kinds; participating in ceremonies; giving concerts; and recording music on his laptop. He went to the Middle East, sailed in Antarctica and became an honorary Maasai tribal chief in Tanzania.

Oliver was more than a musician; he was a true artist in every sense of the
word, seeing the world as a stage for his performance art. He pushed boundaries in every form of media and life. Oliver was on a mission to bring the world together through art and inspiring other artists to create. Being a forward thinker, Oliver created a non-profit entitled "Dr. Oliver Tree's Extremely Epic Art Grant for Baby Geniuses”. He wanted all of his money to go into funding other aspiring artists in all facets: music, film, installation and performance art projects.

Oliver cared so deeply about spreading art, joy, laughter and love into the world. He blended his characters seamlessly with his authentic self, which left the audience often wondering what is real or a prank. He found beauty in the ordinary and would constantly preach his "Ugly Is Beautiful" mantra on and off stage. He wanted everyone to feel like they had a place to be themselves. Under all the absurdist humor and outlandish stunts, he wanted to create an inclusive environment where everyone belonged and could realize their true potential.

Oliver was a creative force of nature, a true “Alien Boy” among human beings. His imagination was boundless, his laugh was contagious and his creativity and ideas were prolific.

Oliver is survived by his parents, Jesse & Christine Nickell of Santa Cruz, brother Jessup (Zoe), Grandmothers Ann Begin & Lorraine Nickell, Aunts Cynthia Begin, Mia Begin (Bill Schroeder), Uncle Dan Begin (Melissa), Aunts Sheree Kouffeld (Dave Christopher) and Jan Lamascus (Marvin), many beloved cousins, Beth, Breanna, Kaitlin, Kimmy, Maggie, Meadow and Nicolas; and numerous friends worldwide. He considered his team and colleagues his family: Dan Awad, Paul Donatelli; his bandmates: Casey Mattson, Amir Oosman, Jake Jamieson, Jmsey; his creative collaborators: Ethan Snoreck aka Whethan; Ryan Farber; Steve Zilberman; Jacob Dennis; Sebastian Hackett; his love Fiona Chernavskaya, as well as many others who touched his project and helped him execute his vision, who are too innumerable to be named.

We’ll leave you with a quote which Oliver said at almost every show he performed at, his mantra to the world: “No matter how strange you think you look, no matter how ugly you feel, you are beautiful.”

A celebration of his life / memorial service will be held at the UCSC Quarry Amphitheater on July 25th. Due to limited space for family and friends, this event will also be streamed live.

Donations: The family requests donations be made to “Dr. Oliver Tree's Extremely Epic Art Grant for Baby Geniuses”. Oliver’s vision is to support and encourage young artists to follow their dreams. See more at https://t.co/XY1lQhixpQ

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

Rest in peace Oliver Tree Nickell June 29th, 1993 - June 14th, 2026

Your legacy will live on forever ❤️ Thank you to everyone who has reached out, shown love, support and has done incredible tributes for Oliver. The constant love, support and positivity is helping the family, friends and collaborators make it through these extremely difficult times.

Oliver is now back in California where he can finally rest. His legacy will live on through his foundation/endowment named “Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Grant For Baby Geniuses” coming soon. This is something that Oliver had put together before his passing, written in his will. We will make sure his wish comes to fruition so that more joy, love and art can be spread into the world, that was his final wish.

Love you all so much, Oliver would be so proud of every one of his supporters, friends and family.

Peace be with Oliver … ❤️

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

No me gusta @ArnMercurio

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

Mexico 🇲🇽 was the best start ❤️ Europe, North America, Australia I’ll see you soon!

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

Lo siento Aaron Mercury

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

Un tiktok más por favor?

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

Mándale esto a tu mamá hoy para darle las gracias por aguantarte toda la vida ❤️

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

The world’s first world tour 🌎
7 continents. 40+ countries.
6 months of beautiful chaos.
See you out there.

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

El mejor dúo del mundo entero 🇲🇽🤝🇺🇸

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

🇲🇽🤝🇺🇸 = ❤️

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

El siguiente video es 10 años en México por qué ya nunca me mudaré! AY WEY

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

I’m going on “The World’s First World Tour” playing shows on all 7 continents this year. 30+ countries. 70+ shows. Biggest tour of my life. Presale goes live Wednesday. Sign up at the link in my bio for early ticket access!

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

Estoy súper loco

[Aaron Mercury @ArnMercurio]

AURA

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

NÚMERO UNO 🇲🇽 🙏 @ArnMercurio

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

TE AMO MÉXICO 🇲🇽❤️ @ArnMercurio

[Oliver Tree @Olivertree]

He said he wasn't hungry 😭 @ArnMercurio