Diplo pays emotional tribute to 'dream collaborator' Oliver Tree

Diplo has paid a heartfelt tribute to his late friend, Oliver Tree.

On Sunday, local media reported that the singer-songwriter died along with five others, including Argentine YouTuber Gaspi and director Lucas A. Vignale, in an aerial collision in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Oliver was 32.

Following the tragic news, DJ Diplo - real name Thomas Wesley Pentz Jr. - took to Instagram to post a slideshow of throwback snaps of the artist, whom he worked with on Ultraman, the theme song of the 2024 animated movie, Ultraman: Rising.

"When people ask me who my dream collaborator is, I never gave the right answer. I might say something obvious, or anyone with a good personality. But it is, and always will be, Oliver Tree," he declared. "We met each other as fans, but I don't think I've ever met another creator with the same raw ambition for chaos as me."

Diplo went on to recall how Oliver, born Oliver Tree Nickell, was always so witty and "cooler than everyone".

"I don't think we'll ever have another human like this again. No rules. No apologies. He was 1000% himself and on a mission to add more joy to this music scene. I've never experienced anyone with this high a level of vibration," the 47-year-old continued.

To conclude, Diplo described how Oliver's death "doesn't feel real".

"Part of me still thinks I'm going to see him in a few weeks, exactly like always. What a f**king rockstar he was," he added.

"I'm not gonna say I miss you yet, because somehow you're still here. Still inspiring me right now."

Other celebrities to honour Oliver included Kid Cudi, who called him a "really amazing and beautiful human", and T-Pain, who thanked the Cowboy Tears hitmaker for "sharing your art and for always being different in the best way possible".

Elsewhere, Jackass star Steve-O described how Oliver would often check in on him.

"Such a great person, f**k, I'm going to miss him...," he wrote.

While Whitney Cummings labelled Oliver as "one of the most talented people on earth".

"Usually that comes with an ego and all kinds of d**khead nonsense, but Oliver is pure love and the best version of what an artist can and should be. There's no silver lining. We lost a giant," she posted.