Steve Aoki Shares His Heartbreak Over EDM Icon Avicii’s Passing

Asian American DJ Steve Aoki shared a condolences for the tragic loss of iconic Swedish EDM artist Avicii.

My brother I miss u pic.twitter.com/vLvswCG9iP

— Azukita Aoki (@steveaoki) April 20, 2018

Avicii, whose real name was Tim Bergling, was found dead at the age of 28 in the Persian Gulf city of Muscat, Oman on Friday afternoon local time, according to CNN.

Bergling had previously retired from performing in 2016 due to health complications related to a strenuous lifestyle and excessive drinking in the years before.

“Yeah I was drinking way too much, partying in general way too much. Then I got a pancreatitis attack [at 21], which is very rare. So that forced me to do a 180 and stop drinking,” Bergling told Time in 2013.

Avicii and Steve Aoki have collaborated several times in the past:

Aoki told SiriusXM that he was in New York when he first heard about Avicii’s passing. He shared that he saw Bergling last in 2017 when he was playing a set in a small club in Los Angeles. Aoki called him one of the most important figures and pioneers in dance music, crediting for the very creation of the term “EDM.”

Aoki also shared that he was doing “great” and “smiling” the last time he saw him, and will miss Avicii’s moving energy, smile and generosity the most.

EDM’s most iconic DJs also shared their condolences on Twitter.

my sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to the friends, fans and families of @Avicii 🙁 Banter aside, nobody can deny what he has accomplished and done for modern dance music and im very proud of him.

— Goat lord (@deadmau5) April 20, 2018

Deeply shocked and can’t believe that dance music has lost one of its icons today. Avicii’s music changed the lives of so many people. He will be missed dearly. My sincere condolences to his family, friends & loved ones. May you find the strength you need in these difficult times pic.twitter.com/PLqYaiaLMd

— Armin van Buuren (@arminvanbuuren) April 20, 2018

. @Avicii was talented and kind, and I was genuinely excited to see what would come next from him. His future most certainly should have been written beyond age 28. I am
heartbroken.
Rest easy Tim.

— Kaskade (@kaskade) April 20, 2018