Fans of late DJ Avicii are voicing their outrage over the fact that the MTV Video Music Awards 2018 did not feature an official tribute to the Swedish musician, who tragically died in April at the age of 28.
Following the award show’s live broadcast on Monday night, social media was flooded with messages from music lovers demanding to know why there was no organized mention of Avicii, beyond Rita Ora paying tribute to him while presenting another award.
The 27-year-old singer actually accepted a posthumous award for Best Dance Video given to the DJ, whose real name was Tim Bergling, however – much to his fans’ dismay – the presentation was not included in the live broadcast, prompting further outrage and upset.
Outrage: Fans of late Swedish DJ Avicii took to social media to slam MTV for not organizing a proper tribute in his honor at the 2018 Video Music Awards on Monday night
Instead, while taking to the stage to introduce Colombian singer Maluma’s performance, Rita revealed that collaboration with Avicii – Lonely Together – had won the prize, taking a moment to praise the DJ and his ‘amazing talent’.
Tribute: Rita Ora accepted a posthumous award for Avicii, however the presentation was not featured as part of the live broadcast
‘I wanna take a minute to say, I just found out that Avicii and I won Best Dance, so let’s made some noise for Avicii right now,’ she said, before adding: ‘[He was] an amazing talent.’
Although the news of the posthumous honor delighted some people, many more took to Twitter both during and in the hours after the VMAs broadcast to slam MTV for not doing more to honor Avicii and his life and work.
‘Avicii deserved way more love and recognition than those short couple [of] words,’ a Twitter user called Amber wrote on the site, before adding: ‘Especially since he couldn’t be there to speak for himself and his music.’
Another person chimed in to congratulate Rita and Avicii on the award, before adding: ‘Disappointing how VMAs didn’t even pay tribute to a music legend. ‘No wonder you are declining, [because] this is how you remember artists like Avicii.
‘He contributed to the music industry so much just to be [snubbed] liked that!’
Others accused MTV of ‘forgetting’ about the late DJ, with one person labeling the lack of tribute as ‘sad, ridiculous and offensive’, while another posted an irate tweet reading: ‘WTF is this. Avicii didn’t die for nothing.
‘He deserves proper respect and tribute.’
Anger: Avicii fans were quick to voice their outrage over the lack of organized tribute to the late DJ at the award ceremony
Many questioned why MTV hadn’t thought to include an official tribute as part of the show – particularly as the presentation of a posthumous award in the DJ’s honor would have provided the perfect opportunity for a moment of silence.
There were some, however, who were simply happy to pay their own respects to Avicii and celebrate his career – and his VMA win.
Following the announcement, these fans took to social media to celebrate the win and remember the music star.
One fan shared: ‘I am so happy @Avicii’s legend lived on tonight with a #vma oh my’.
‘Congratulations Avicii on your posthumous VMA for Best Dance Video,’ another wrote. ‘Congratulations @Avicii for winning the VMA for best dance video’.
A fan posted: ‘Avicii won the best dance VMA award we miss you @Avicii’.
‘Avicii winning a VMA has me in alllll my feels right now,’ another said. ‘Avicii won a vma he would never be able to receive’.
Last night was not the first time that Rita has paid tribute to her former collaborator; shortly after his death in April, she took to Twitter to share her condolences for his family and friends, saying she was ‘heartbroken” by the tragic news.
She wrote: ‘I have no words. I remember how amazing it was to make Lonely Together and it felt like just yesterday we were talking.
‘Condolences to Avicii’s family, friends, and the fans who supported him. May he rest in peace. Heartbroken.’
The two stars were close friends, and Rita opened up about how he ‘changed her life’ during an emotional performance in the Netherlands just a week after his death.
She said: ‘It’s gonna be hard for me to sing this next song and I’ll tell you why. I had the honour of collaborating with someone who changed my life and he was a really good friend of mine.
‘I heard some DJs playing some of his music earlier, and I haven’t sang his song that we did together ever since he passed away, until today. It’s going to be very hard for me to sing this next song.
‘I’m obviously talking about the incredible Avicii. We collaborated on the last song that he released together, and so it’s going to be very tough for me to sing this next one. One of my dearest friends and I would really appreciate that.’
In April, it was confirmed the electronic dance music producer had been found dead in Oman in an apparent suicide.
In a statement his publicist said: ‘It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii. The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time.’
Devastating: Avicii’s publicist confirmed in a statement in April that the DJ had been found dead in Oman after reportedly taking his own life
Happiness: Some fans were simply happy to see that Avicii’s music had been remembered with a posthumous VMA
Despite a meteoric rise to success following the release of hit-single Le7els in 2011, Avicii announced in 2016 that he would not longer perform live, following years health problems caused by stress and alcohol abuse, as well as severe anxiety.
A recent documentary, Avicii: True Stories shed light on the extreme pressure he was under, performing 320 shows in a single year.
In the documentary, Avicii, a self-confessed introvert, speaks frequently about using alcohol as a crutch to be able to perform, drinking every day during his hectic tour, and to help him with his crippling anxiety and stress.
At the age of 21 he was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis – a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas – due in part to excessive drinking.
In 2014, Bergling was again hospitalised and forced to have his gallbladder and appendix removed.
In a note announcing his retirement in 2016 he said: ‘I know I am blessed to be able to travel all around the world and perform, but I have too little left for the life of a real person behind the artist.
‘I will however never let go of music – I will continue to speak to my fans through it, but I’ve decided this 2016 run will be my last tour and last shows.’
He released his debut studio album, True, in 2013 and followed it up with Stories in 2015.