He was one of the world's most popular DJs - but a lot of his loyal fans are still in the dark about what his famous stage name means.
Tim Bergling, better known as Avicii, became a global sensation back in 2011 when his single 'Levels' hit the music scene, scooping up Best Song at the 2012 Grammis Awards and securing a nomination for Best Electro/Dance.
His first album, 'True', smashed into the top 10 across over 15 countries when it dropped in 2013, with its lead track 'Wake Me Up' dominating European music charts and clinching the number four spot in the US. Despite his astronomical fame, some followers are left scratching their heads over how Avicii came to be his moniker and what it actually stands for.
During a chat on SiriusXM, Tim's father, Klas Bergling, shared the origins of his son’s eminent stage name, along with his own take on it. He said: "[Avicii means] the lowest level of hell in the Buddhistic religion. I thought it was absolutely fantastic to use that term. Typical Tim."
Apparently, Tim decided on this title because his real name was snagged by another user when he begun uploading his music on Myspace, forcing him to conjure up something unique to make his mark on the crowded social site. Born in Stockholm, Tim kicked off his mixing journey at just eight-years-old, inspired by his brother, also a disc jockey.
Armed with an unofficial copy of FL Studio, he began crafting melodies, eventually catching the eye of Dejfitts Plays and signing with them in 2007. Fans have been left awestruck by revelations about Avicii's stage name, with one exclaiming: "Wow he thought it was cool and the other thought that was a deep name. Yikes."
While another shared their connection: "I'm a Buddhist and when I was a kid I thought Avicii and Avici (Awici) feels similar, at the time I thought it was just me. But years later, today I found out he got the name from it." A third fan reflected on the power of words: "Wow, be careful what you speak over and into your lives."
In tribute to Tim Bergling, who tragically took his own life at the age of 28 in 2018, Netflix has unveiled a documentary chronicling his formative years and rise to stardom, highlighting the indelible mark he left on music. "This is the unlikely story of Tim Bergling, a shy and insecure boy who, without realizing it, suddenly created one of the world's most loved artists - Avicii," introduces the tale of the famed DJ.
The documentary, titled 'Avicii - I'm Tim,' gives an intimate look at the artist’s life with a touching statement: "Through unique home movies and a huge private archive, we get to follow Tim on a winding journey through life - from the very first breath at the maternity ward in Stockholm in 1989 to the tragic end in Oman in 2018.
"This is a film where Tim himself is the narrator and he shares his inner self in a way we haven't heard before. Through himself and everyone close to him - family, artist colleagues and best friends - we get to know Tim - the boy behind Avicii - for the first time."
English (US) ·