LAS VEGAS, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Swedish musician Avicii made his directorial debut Thursday with two music videos accompanying singles "For a Better Day" and "Pure Grinding."
Just one day after canceling all of his scheduled performances in Las Vegas, China and Japan for the remainder of the year, the 26-year-old DJ, whose real name is Tim Bergling, hints with these videos his future plans.
The two music videos released Thursday were reportedly filmed in Hungary over the summer and seem to confront social themes such as child trafficking and gang violence.
"All the songs have a story I wanted to tell," Avicii said. "The promise of a better life often traps families and children into being used as tools for some of the most despicable people on earth. It's an issue about which I hope to start a louder discussion, especially now with the huge number of families on the move from war torn countries looking for safety and shelter."
The DJ's topical video releases come as hundreds of migrants from war-torn countries including Serbia and Afghanistan, seek refuge in nearby nations such as Greece, Italy and Hungary. In August, Hungary sent 2,100 police officers to its Serbian border after protests by immigrants required non-lethal force to subdue. The protests were reportedly prompted after several traveling into Hungary refused to be fingerprinted during the registration process, fearing it meant they would be forced to remain in the country although they meant to continue traveling northward.
In July, the Hungarian government scheduled the erection of a border fence between the country and Serbia expected to be completed in November. Civil rights groups and Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic have criticized the fence. Rights groups say it is a demonstration of Hungary's continued xenophobia while Nikolic claims it is an unfortunate decision on Hungary's part prompted by the migrant crisis.
Artists Diplo, Skrillex, Dillon Francis and Zedd are expected to replace Avicii at six scheduled shows in September and October while, according to Billboard, the DJ is planning a "larger tour initiative" after a "well deserved break."
"I look forward to keep being innovative with my team in leading a bigger change than just with my music. In moving my tour promotional responsibilities to next year, I have a great opportunity to focus on myself and spend time trying to grow up in a way I never got the chance to -- normal, or as normal as it could get," Avicii said.
"My team, label and family have encouraged me to do that and I realize not many in my position get that opportunity."
