George Veikoso

George "Fiji" Veikoso
Veikoso in concert in 2024
Background information
Also known as
  • Fiji
  • George Fiji
Born
George Brooks Veikoso

(1970-05-10)10 May 1970
Tailevu Province, Fiji
Died24 July 2025(2025-07-24) (aged 55)
Fiji, Fiji
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • musician
InstrumentVocals
Years active1987–2025
LabelIndigenous Alliance

George Brooks Veikoso (10 May 1970 – 24 July 2025), known professionally as Fiji, was a Fijian singer-songwriter, musician, producer and occasional actor.[1] He was from Buretu, Nakelo in the Tailevu Province and both of his parents had Tongan & Fijian ancestry. He grew up in the urban area of Raiwaqa in Fiji before moving to Hawaiʻi.[2]

Early life

Born on 10 May 1970 in Tailevu,[3] Fiji, Veikoso's first professional singing appearance earned him $5 from the audience. He liked singing in the church as a child. He credited three relatives for helping him reach his goals including his uncle, Isireli Racule who worked on Elvis Presley's Drums of the Islands, his other uncle and Fijian jazz star, Sakiusa Bulicokocoko and Paul Stevens. Racule wrote and composed the original, non-English version of Drums of the Islands in Polynesian languages while using the name "Bula Laie."[4][5][6] Veikoso joined Fijian band Rootstrata in 1987 but left the same year for Hawaiʻi due to the 1987 Fijian coups d'état.[7]

Career

In 1998 Veikoso won the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Male Vocalist of the year and Favorite Entertainer of the year.[8]

He earned numerous other industry accolades and awards including "Favorite Entertainer of the Year" and "People's Choice Award". FIJI's collaboration on the "Island Warriors" compilation album earned a Grammy-nomination for Best Reggae Album in 2002.[9]

Fiji also co-wrote and sang the season 11 theme song "Let Me Be the One" with Glenn Medeiros and Carlos Villalobos for the TV show, Baywatch and he acted in the 2002 surfer film Blue Crush.[10]

He produced and released many albums during his career, including "Evolution", "Born and Raised" and "Grattitude".[11] One of his all-time and most popular songs is "Lia".[12]

In 2014, he was awarded the Best Pacific International Artist Award at the Pacific Music Awards.[13]

In December 2021, he won the Pacific Music Awards, Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long contribution to the Polynesian reggae scene.[14]

In 2023, Fiji's catalogue surpassed over 500 million streams on digital streaming platforms.[15]

In September 2024, Veikoso hosted Homecoming Fiji, a two-day concert at the King Charles Park in Nadi, Fiji.[16] The event featured an international lineup that included Maoli, J Boog, and Josh Tatofi, among others.[17] According to estimates, the concert contributed approximately FJD$1,000,000 to Fiji's local economy.[18]

Following the success of his Homecoming Concert, Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka pledged the ministry's support for Veikoso's later endeavours and called on stakeholders to collaborate for an even bigger showcase of Fijian artistry.[19]

Death

Veikoso died in Suva, Fiji on 23 July 2025, at the age of 55.[3][20][21] On 11 August, his family and estate announced via Instagram they'd be livestreaming his funeral service the following day for fans worldwide.[22] The funeral was streamed on Veikoso's official YouTube channel.[23] Veikoso was laid to rest at Lovonilase Cemetery in Suva following a funeral service at the Vodafone Arena attended by hundreds. Among those present were musicians Tenelle, Danny Kennedy, Finn Gruva, and Canaan Ene, as well as the Burebasaga High Chief Ro Teimumu Kepa, Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka, Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga, and former heavyweight boxer David Tua.[24][25]

A tribute concert in his memory held at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu on 13 September drew 28,500 people including overflow attendees in Kapiʻolani Park.[26]

Discography

Charted albums

List of charted albums, with selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions
NZ
[27]
Born and Raised
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Precise
 36
Grattitude
  • Released: 2000
  • Label: Precise
 50
Born and Raised II: The Rebirth
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Precise
 18

Charted songs

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
[28]
"Sweet Darlin'" 1996 21 Born and Raised
"Jowenna" 2004 20 Independence Day
"Come On Over"
(featuring Papa) 		2006 33 Xperience
"Morning Ride" 30
"Lonely Days"
(featuring Boog) 		2013 15 Born and Raised II: The Rebirth
"One Way" 2025 6[29]
"Daydream" —[A] Non-album singles
"Cruise" (Remix)
(with Lomez Brown and Finn Gruva) 		—[B]

Notes

  1. ^ "Daydream" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 18 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[30]
  2. ^ "Cruise" (Remix) did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 10 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[31]

References

  1. ^ Amrit, Ajay (12 April 2015). "George Fiji Veikoso, A Fiji Legend". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  2. ^ Tinetali-Fiavaai, Grace; journalist, RNZ Pacific (28 July 2025). "George 'Fiji' Veikoso: The iconic voice that united the Pacific". RNZ. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Reggae singer George Fiji Veikoso passes away at 55". WION. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  4. ^ Erekson, Keith A. (14 November 2018). "Elvis Presley's copy of the Book of Mormon ain't nothin' but a forgery, Church history experts say". Church News. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  5. ^ Foley, Mike (27 November 2006). "MPHS, LCA and BYUH History Department Sponsor 'Movie Night'". Brigham Young University Hawaii. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  6. ^ "Bula". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Fiji's got it, and more, including a Hoku and a new CD". Star Bulletin. 29 June 1999. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  8. ^ Berger, John (12 May 2001). Billboards 12 May 2001.
  9. ^ "Reggae album from Hawaii is Grammy finalist". 5 January 2002. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  10. ^ "Blue Crush cast". TV Guide. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  11. ^ Berger, John (29 June 1999). "Honolulu Star-Bulletin Features". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  12. ^ Amrit, Ajay (12 April 2015). "George Fiji Veikoso, A Fiji Legend". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  13. ^ "Fiji Veikoso's decades of music celebrated with Pacific award". RNZ. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  14. ^ Mayron, Sapeer (19 December 2021). "Pacific Music Awards: Jawsh685 scoops three awards for hit 'Savage Love'". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  15. ^ fijivillage. "George 'Fiji' Veikoso's catalogue surpasses over half a billion streams on digital streaming platforms". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  16. ^ "Home Coming 24'". www.homecomingfiji.com. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  17. ^ Rovoi, Christine. "'It's going to be epic': Fans set for global music festival in Fiji homecoming". PMN | Pacific Media Network. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  18. ^ VONO, TEMALESI (17 September 2024). "Concert delivers $1m economic boost, says Whitton". The Fiji Times. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  19. ^ "DPM Gavoka praises George "Fiji" Veikoso". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  20. ^ "Locally-renowned reggae singer Fiji dies at 55". 24 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  21. ^ Parkel, Inga (24 July 2025). "Reggae artist Fiji, who co-wrote Baywatch: Hawaii theme, dies suddenly aged 55". The Independent. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  22. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  23. ^ Fiji (11 August 2025). Celebrating the Life & Legacy of George "FIJI" Veikoso - Live from Suva. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via YouTube.
  24. ^ fijivillage. "George FIJI Veikoso's funeral service". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  25. ^ fijivillage. "Veikoso is a proud son of Fiji whose music touched hearts around the world – Ratu Naiqama". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  26. ^ "Thousands turn out for Fiji Tribute concert". Hawaii News Now. 13 September 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  27. ^ Peaks in New Zealand:
  28. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  29. ^ "Search the Charts by artist, title etc". Official Aotearoa Music Charts. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  30. ^ "Official Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 19 September 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  31. ^ "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
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