George Veikoso known worldwide as Fiji was a Fijian-Hawaiian music legend whose soulful island‑reggae sound and cultural resonance made him a Pacific icon. He passed away at 55. His music, praised for blending reggae, jazz, hip hop, R&B, and Pacific rhythms, transcended borders and defined an era in Polynesian music.
| Full Name | George Brooks Veikoso |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Fiji |
| Born | May 10, 1970 – Tailevu, Fiji |
| Died | 2025 (Age 55) |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Music Producer |
| Genres | Island Reggae, R&B, Hip-Hop, Pacific Soul |
| Famous For | Hit songs, Baywatch Hawaii theme, promoting Pacific Island music |
| Popular Songs | Lia, Sweet Darlin’, Let Me Be the One, Smokin’ Session, Jowenna, Island People |
| Awards | Pacific Music Lifetime Achievement Award, Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, Grammy-nominated |
George Veikoso Early Life
He born on 10 May 1970 in Tailevu province, Fiji, Fiji grew up in Suva’s rural neighborhoods, where he developed a profound love for music. As a child, he frequently listened to his uncles jazz star Sakiusa Bulicokocoko and Isireli Racule who greatly influenced his musical journey.
His first paid performance earned him just $5, yet that moment ignited his lifelong devotion to music. In 1987, amidst political unrest following Fiji’s coups, he moved to Hawaii at age 17 and joined the Fijian band Rootstrata, launching his career in the broader Pacific music scene.
Career
His solo debut album Evolution dropped in 1994, followed by the influential Born & Raised (1997), firmly establishing Fiji as a trailblazer in Pacific reggae music.
In 1998, Fiji clinched Hawai‘i’s prestigious Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year and Favorite Entertainer of the Year.
He earned a Grammy nomination for his work on the Island Warriors compilation (Best Reggae Album), one of the rare Hawai‘i-based acts to receive such an honor.
In 2014, he became the inaugural recipient of the Best Pacific International Artist Award at the Pacific Music Awards. In 2021, he was honored with the Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pacific Music Awards, celebrating his nearly four-decade impact on Polynesian reggae.
Fiji co‑wrote the theme song “Let Me Be the One” for Baywatch Hawaii, appeared in the surf film Blue Crush, and his songs featured on shows like MTV Real World Hawaii. These appearances broadened his global reach and made his music deeply recognizable beyond music circles .
By December 2023, his musical catalog had surpassed 500 million streams, a testament to his enduring appeal and cultural resonance.
In September 2024, Fiji returned to Fiji for a monumental two‑day Homecoming Concert at Prince Charles Park in Nadi. The event featured celebrated artists J Boog, Maoli, Josh Tatofi, and more drawing thousands of attendees and international fans. This landmark celebration became one of the most emotional and uplifting events in recent Pacific music history, and it contributed roughly FJD 1 million to the local economy.
His most popular songs include “Lia,” “Sweet Darlin’,” “Smokin’ Session,” “Naughty Girl,” and “Let Me Be the One” (theme for Baywatch Hawaii).
His song “Let Me Be the One” was the theme for Baywatch Hawaii, and his music was also featured in the movie Blue Crush. Some of his other famous songs that people love include “Morning Ride,” “Island People,” “Come on Over,” “Jowenna,” “She Was the Best,” “If I Gave You My Heart,” “Chant of the Islands,” “It’s the Way We Feel,” and “Rise and Shine.”
Personal Life
Fiji spent his later years in Hawaii, though he remained deeply connected to his Fijian roots and returned frequently. His mother was known to be strict about him staying true to foundational values including his early church singing background .
Despite rumors of mobility issues fans sometimes saw him in a wheelchair he never publicly disclosed details regarding his health condition .
Offstage, he championed Polynesian unity, mentored emerging Pacific artists through initiatives like the TokoUso movement, and advocated against gang violence.
In 22 April 2019, he posted on Facebook, “Happy birthday to my daughter Adi Arieta Lutunauca kuualohapoinaole Veikoso wishing you many blessings #lovedad.”
Death
According to a recent Fiji Times report, George “Fiji” Veikoso passed away at age 55.
According to an Instagram post, he died “Wednesday in his home nation of Fiji, surrounded by family.”
The Polynesian Music Network ( They announced Fiji’s passing with “heavy hearts” and honored him as: )
“a movement, a voice for the people, a light in the dark”; they added that “There was, and always will be, only one Fiji. His music wasn’t just something we listened to.”
Vulakoro called it “a great loss for Fiji and the Fiji music industry,” saying:
“He’s the biggest artist that ever came out of Fiji and the Pacific… He started something very distinctive… He made Fiji proud—his name is Fiji.”
She remembered him as “an amazing, amazing human being. My biggest idol. I’m really, really sad today,” Chair of Fiji Performing Rights Association, Laisa Vulakoro.
social media
George “Fiji” Veikoso was active on Instagram and Facebook (Fiji the Artist), where he shared updates and music content. His official website, fijitheartist.com, and label page, menschouse.com, linked to his music on YouTube, Spotify, and iTunes. He had own youtube channel named fiji, where he shared his music videos.
