Swedish DJ and electronic dance music producer Avicii has been found dead in Muscat, Oman. He was 28.
No cause of death has been given.
His representative 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 20.
“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.”
His death comes days after he was nominated for a Billboard Music Award for top dance/electronic album.
Avicii, who boasted two UK number ones and was perhaps best known for his songs Wake Me Up and Hey Brother, retired from touring in 2016 at age 26 after a series of health scares that struck while he was on the road. He had his gallbladder and appendix removed in 2014.
Before that, at 21, he learned he had acute pancreatitis, which he said was related in part to excessive drinking. “I was drinking way too much, partying in general way too much,” he said in a 2013 interview with Time magazine. “So that forced me to do a 180 and stop drinking.”
On his recordings Avicii teamed up with a range of musicians, including bluegrass artist Dan Tyminski, country-rock singer Zac Brown, glam-pop vocalist Adam Lambert and rapper-singer Wyclef Jean.
Avicii produced music for musicians including Madonna and Coldplay, and became one of the world’s highest paid DJs.
In 2015, Forbes ranked him as the sixth-highest-paid DJ on earth and estimated his annual earnings at roughly $19 million.
In a note announcing his retirement in 2016 he said: “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.
“I will however never let go of music - I will continue to speak to my fans through it, but I’ve decided this 2016 run will be my last tour and last shows.”
He later told Billboard magazine he had made the decision for health reasons. “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,” he told the magazine. “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.”
However, he did not stop making music, releasing a six-track EP in August 2017.
Avicii won a number of American Music Awards, Billboard music awards and MTV Europe Music awards for his EDM work.
He released his debut studio album, True, in 2013 and followed it up with Stories in 2015.
In addition to his DJ work, Bergling was an active philanthropist. Shortly after finding success, he founded the non-profit charity House For Hunger in 2011. He also donated $1 million to the Feeding America non-profit in 2012.
DJ Calvin Harris tweeted: “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 x.”
Singer Dua Lipa wrote: “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.”
