Aloe Blacc Recalls Avicii’s Dedication and Lasting Impact

Aloe Blacc recently reflected on the invaluable lessons he learned from his late collaborator, Avicii. While speaking with PEOPLE at the Opry 100: A Live Celebration event in Nashville on March 19, the singer and rapper revealed that Avicii, whose real name was Tim Bergling, taught him important principles such as “dedication to craft.” Blacc recalled, “I remember we were in Miami, and he had to DJ at a party, and there was a huge entourage, but he couldn’t care less. It wasn’t his entourage, it was like hangers-on, management’s friends. I was there… I was invited, I just kind of watched him, and he sat in a corner, and he just put his headphones on. He just worked on his set.” The “King Is Born” crooner went on to note that Avicii “wasn’t there to be at the party and to party with people;” rather, “he was there to deliver what he was supposed to deliver to the party.” Blacc “thought that was really special, especially being in the studio with him… [to see his] dedication to his craft, focusing on melodies and never letting good enough be enough and keeping the intensity up and pushing for better and better.” Notably, in addition to singing on the “Addicted to You” hitmaker’s 2013 song “Wake Me Up,” the 46-year-old also performed at the Avicii Tribute Concert in 2019. The event, held at Friends Arena in Stockholm and attended by more than 50,000 people, honored the late DJ, remixer, and record producer’s life and music. For those unaware, Avicii, who released chart-topping dance music hits such as “Levels” and “Sunshine,” died by suicide at the age of 28 while on vacation in Oman in April 2018. It is worth mentioning that as a tribute to his late friend, Aloe Blacc released a country music-style version of “Wake Me Up” featuring Cooper Alan in December 2024.