Post Malone paused his Toronto concert on Tuesday night to pay an emotional tribute to his late friend Oliver Tree, who died just days earlier in a helicopter crash in Brazil. The rapper took a moment during his performance at Rogers Stadium to honor the 32-year-old musician, pouring out a bottle of Bud Light on stage as he remembered his fallen friend. “I just want Oliver to know how loved he was,” Post told the crowd.
Post Malone spoke directly to the audience about Oliver’s impact before the somber gesture of pouring out beer. The tribute came just three days after Tree was killed when two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro on June 14. Post praised his friend’s art, heart, and soul, addressing him directly in a moment that brought the crowd to a standstill. The emotional dedication was a stark contrast to the celebratory energy of his Big Ass Stadium Tour.
Oliver Tree, known for his distinctive bowl haircut and genre-blending music, was among six people killed when two helicopters collided mid-air above an electric vehicle yard in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood of western Rio de Janeiro. Both aircraft immediately burst into flames and crashed to the ground, setting approximately 20 vehicles on fire. The crash also claimed the lives of Argentine producer Lucas Vignale, YouTuber Gaspar Prim Diaz (known as Gaspi), Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the collision, with fire department officials noting that debris from the aircraft scattered hundreds of meters across the crash site . The investigation remains ongoing.
Tree, who had been on a global tour in support of his fourth album, had performed in São Paulo just days before the accident. Tributes have poured in from across the music industry, with Post Malone’s heartfelt dedication standing as one of the most personal. “He was 1000% himself and on a mission to add more joy to this music scene,” wrote producer Diplo. For fans at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium, Post Malone’s tribute ensured Oliver Tree’s spirit lived on.
