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Avicii awarded posthumous Grammy in Sweden

The late EDM star’s father accepted the award at the ceremony on 7th February...

Avicii was awarded a posthumous award at Sweden’s annual Grammy Gala (Grammisgalan).

The honorary Grammy was presented to the late EDM superstar’s father, Klaus Bergling, at the ceremony on 7th February. The beloved producer – real name Tim Bergling – had received a Grammy award before in 2012 for his breakthrough single ‘Levels’.

In the month's since Avicii’s tragic death aged 28 in April 2018, his father has accepted a number of posthumous accolades on his son’s behalf. At the Grammy Gala, he gave a heartfelt speech describing Tim as a “friendly” and “very serious” person. He described his son as being “obsessed” when it came to his music and as inherently shy.

“We have received so much love and support from his fans, partners from the music industry and his friends,” he said. “His music is played in new forums and in new interpretations. We are very proud of that…”

“He had a need to withdraw find peace and find himself,” he added. “Something that many of us probably recognise."

Recently, the documentary, 'Avicii: True Stories’, was re-released on Netflix. The film, follows Avicii’s rapid rise to fame while also documenting the harrowing toll that celebrity and the pressure of the industry had on both his mental and physical health. 

DJ Mag’s digital editor Charlotte Lucy Cijffers reflected on the young DJs enormous influence on the global EDM community and on how his openness surrounding struggles with fame, touring and alcoholism gave a troubling, if necessary, insight into a side of dance music the world often does not see.

In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email [email protected]. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.