The Swedish musician and DJ, Avicii, was a renowned artist in the genre of EDM music.  He started creating music when he was 18 and made music blogs where he posted his remixes of songs. He first gained attention from his music blogs, and was soon invited to perform at a concert in Ibiza. He became popular throughout Europe from his hit single, “Seek Bromance,” and later received international recognition for his mainstream album “Levels.”

Avicii continued to collaborate with famous artists and create well-known songs, such as “Wake Me Up,” “A Sky Full of Stars,” and “Addicted to You.”  Many of these songs were featured on his debut album “True” and reached multi-platinum status. He also released another album called “Stories,” from which his status in the fields of EDM and pop music began to take more of a significant hold. His success prompted him to be the lead performer in many music festivals such as Ultra, Lollapalooza, Future Music; he also toured Australia and some cities in South America. Avicii received many accolades throughout his lifetime, including a Grammy Award in the “Best Dance Category Recording,” an MTV Music Video Award, a World Music Award, a Teen Choice Award, an iHeartRadio Music Award, an Echo Music Award, and many more.

Although the artist was a prominent figure in the EDM music business, he did not enjoy the popularity and attention that came along with it. Avicii’s family told CNN, “He was not made for the business machine he found himself in; he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight.”

His fame and public career led to many health, stress, and anxiety issues that overwhelmed his daily life. Avicii was in the business for the sole purpose of making music, but eventually realized that the fame and pressures that went along with the job were not suitable for his personality type. Avicii died at 28 years old on April 20, 2018 in Oman due mostly to his intense career and stressful lifestyle. Authorities say that his death was not caused by foul play, but details have not been explicitly released.

Students at Pine Crest have been saddened by the news of his death. Freshman Aidan Veghte said, “I always play his music because it brings me peace and I’m sure it does to the world, too.”

His music has played important roles in the lives of Pine Crest students, and his recent passing has affected many in the Pine Crest community. Avicii left a legacy in the EDM community and in music as a whole, and his music and artistry will be remembered for years to come.

Sources: CNN Entertainment, The Guardian, Success Story, All Music, Grammy, New York Times, IMDb, Rolling Stone

Photo Source: Shawn Tron via Wikimedia Commons