Avicii, the people’s DJ, was born Tim Bergling in 1989 and would have turned 33 on September 8. We have had the chance to witness many outstanding musicians over the last few decades. Unfortunately, many left this world too soon, and Avicii was one of them. He passed away on April 20, 2018, at age 28, leaving behind a legacy (and music) that people worldwide will never forget. Avicii played a vital part in shaping the current status of the electronic music world, contributing a variety of productions that have given the industry a new breath of life and emotion.
If you don’t think you’ve heard of him or haven’t listened to his songs, think again. He was popular and successful, so chances are you know at least one of his songs, if not more (or all of them). Despite his Swedish origins, his impact grew with time, and he became well-known in both the United States and his home country. His most famous song is undoubtedly “Wake Me Up,” which requires only a few seconds of listening to realize that, yes, you are familiar with him and his work.
The unexpected demise of the Swedish star DJ shocked the music world. His impact, on the other hand, lives on to this day. Avicii seemed to have everything. His sudden climb to stardom would have given anyone dizziness, but he and longtime manager Ash Pournouri worked hard to keep the focus on giving back. Now, in honor of his birthday, we take a deeper look at some of his humanitarian endeavors that helped make the uplifting message of his music a reality.
The world-renowned DJ was forthright about his philanthropy, discussing his intention to give away millions in a 2013 documentary about his life. “Personally and morally, I think—when you come to a position where you get such an excess of money that you do not need—that the most sensible, humane, and obvious thing to do is to share it with those who really need it,” he mentioned in the documentary.
After being thrown into the international spotlight with his breakout single in 2011, Avicii and Pournouri launched House for Hunger, a nonprofit that planned to raise $1 million through ticket sales during the artist’s 25-date January tour throughout the United States.
Following his House for Hunger tour in 2012, Avicii donated around $1 million to Feeding America. He also gave €1 million to Radiohjälpen, a Swedish charity raising funds to support people worldwide. According to its founder’s statement, Avicii’s generous donation aided in the establishment of its Hunger Aid section, which was dedicated to feeding children in Sub-Saharan Africa.
However, his charitable contributions were not restricted to monetary donations. He also used his videos to bring attention to crucial causes. For one, the videos he made for his songs “Pure Grinding” and “For A Better Day” raised awareness about human trafficking and gang brutality.
Avicii widened his charitable horizons in 2014 when he joined the fight against HIV and AIDS. In November, he collaborated with (RED) to launch “Ultimate Year of Music with Avicii,” and in that same month, he released “Divine Sorrow” with Wyclef Jean, the earnings of which were given to (RED) ‘s Global Fund.
Sadly, four years later, Avicii passed away.
