George “Fiji” Veikoso’s musical journey drew to a close this week as the Pacific icon was laid to rest in his village of Buretu, Nakelo, Tailevu, following final farewell ceremonies in Suva. Mourners gathered at Vodafone Arena to celebrate a life and career that helped define contemporary Pacific music before the cortege continued to his ancestral burial grounds.
Fiji—born George Brooks Veikoso—rose from the streets of Raiwaqa and the early roots-reggae outfit Rootstrata to become an internationally recognised voice for the Pacific. He left Fiji for Hawai‘i in 1987 amid political turmoil at home and forged a unique sound that blended reggae with R&B, jazz, soul, gospel and Polynesian influences. That fusion, delivered through a versatile tenor and crystalline falsetto, earned him widespread acclaim across the Pacific and beyond.
Key career highlights:
– Grammy nomination in 2002 for his contribution to the Island Warriors compilation.
– Multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year and Favourite Entertainer.
– Co-writer and performer of “Let Me Be the One” for Baywatch Hawaii and a screen appearance in the 2002 film Blue Crush.
– Albums such as Evolution, Born and Raised and Gratitude, and signature tracks like “Lia.”
– Best Pacific International Artist at the Pacific Music Awards in 2014 and a Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
– By 2023 his catalogue had surpassed more than half a billion streams on digital platforms.
Friends and colleagues remembered him as both a performer and a mentor. In recent years Fiji continued to draw large audiences despite health challenges; last September he returned home to headline two sold-out nights at Prince Charles Park in Nadi—performing from a wheelchair alongside artists like J Boog, Maoli and Josh Tatofi in a homecoming that many knew would be especially meaningful.
Public reaction to his passing was immediate and widespread, with tributes pouring in from across the Pacific and the global reggae community. Political leaders and peers described him as a cultural ambassador who used music to bridge communities and strengthen Pacific identity.
Commentary and context
– Fiji’s career illustrates how artists from small island nations can shape global music conversations by blending local heritage with mainstream genres. His success in Hawai‘i and recognition in awards circuits underscore the cross-cultural appeal of Pacific sounds.
– The outpouring of grief and celebration reflects not just the loss of a performer but the passing of a generation-builder who elevated Pacific reggae and mentored younger artists.
Suggested additions for publication (to add value on your WordPress site)
– Publish a short curated playlist of Fiji’s most iconic tracks (Lia, Lonely Days, Come On Over, selections from Evolution and Born and Raised).
– Include a timeline or photo gallery highlighting his early Rootstrata days, move to Hawai‘i, awards and recent homecoming concerts.
– Add a sidebar with funeral and memorial details, and information about upcoming Homecoming Festival tributes planned to honour his legacy.
– Solicit short fan memories or quotes for a community tribute piece to populate across social channels.
Brief summary
George “Fiji” Veikoso, a seminal voice in Pacific music celebrated for fusing island rhythms with reggae, R&B and soul, has been buried in his native Buretu after farewell ceremonies in Suva. His decades-long career earned major awards, a Grammy nomination and a massive digital audience; his music and mentorship leave a lasting legacy across the Pacific.
Hopeful note
Fiji’s music and the community he nurtured will continue to inspire new artists and remind Pacific peoples—and global listeners—of the power of song to preserve culture, bridge differences and uplift spirits. His homecoming performances and the tributes that follow suggest his influence will remain a living part of the region’s cultural fabric.
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