FEATURED ARTIST
Avicii
Tim Bergling (8 September 1989 – 20 April 2018), known professionally as Avicii was a Swedish DJ, remixer and music producer. At the age of 16, Bergling began posting his remixes on electronic music forums, which led to his first record deal. He rose to prominence in 2011 with his single «Levels». His debut studio album, True (2013), blended electronic music with elements of multiple genres and received generally positive reviews. It peaked in the top ten in more than fifteen countries and topped international charts; the lead single, «Wake Me Up», topped most music markets in Europe and reached number four in the United States.
Bergling retired from touring in 2016, after several years of stress and poor mental health. On 20 April 2018, he committed suicide while on holiday in Muscat, Oman. In 2019, his third and final album, Tim, was released posthumously.
SONGS IN ROTATION:
Early life and career
Tim Bergling was born in Stockholm on 8 September 1989, the son of Klas Bergling, who ran an office supply business, and actress Anki Lidén. He had three siblings: David Bergling, Linda Sterner, and actor Anton Körberg. He started mixing in his bedroom at the age of eight.
Inspired by his brother, who was also a DJ, he began making music at the age of teaching himself to use a pirated copy of FL Studio. In May 2007, Bergling signed on with the Dejfitts Plays label. He was a member of the Laidback Luke Forums, where he refined his craft and, at times, demonstrated his distinct deep house style. By 2009 to 2010, Bergling was a prolific producer and was releasing music incredibly quickly. His remixes during this period were «Sound of Now», «Muja», «Ryu» and «Even». Bergling explained that the name Avicii means «the lowest level of Buddhist hell» and he chose the moniker because his real name was already used upon creating his Myspace page. Then, in 2010, Bergling released the hit song «Seek Bromance», which reached the top 20 in several countries, including Belgium, France, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Sweden. He also remixed Nadia Ali’s classic single «Rapture» for her album Queen of Clubs Trilogy: Onyx Edition. In October 2010, Bergling signed with the European A&R team with EMI Music Publishing.
Avicii: A true legend
In April 2019, it was announced that the album Tim, which Bergling was working on before his death, would be released on 6 June 2019, with the first single, «SOS», released on 10 April. All proceeds from the sale of the album went towards the Tim Bergling Foundation. Later that month, it was announced that an official biography of Bergling, written by Måns Mosesson, would be released in 2020, with the proceeds also going to the Tim Bergling Foundation.
On 6 April 2021, it was announced that the biography would be titled Tim – The Official Biography of Avicii and was set for release in the UK and North America on 16 November of the same year. Kitty Empire of The Guardian described it as «An honest study of the shy young man turned superstar DJ».
On 23 September 2021, it was announced that a second documentary about Bergling would be released in 2023.
On 12 October 2021, it was announced that a second tribute concert would be held at the Avicii Arena, on 1 December 2021.
