For Joji Kevetibau, known to audiences as Pojee, music is more than sound — it’s memory, emotion, and home. And for him, the roots of that music trace back to his earliest years with his grandparents.
“My grandmother sang in a choir,” Pojee recalled.
“I grew up with her most of the time, and she used to make me attend choir practices.”
His late paternal grandmother, Limiva Sovakalia, who passed away in 2020, became a quiet yet powerful influence.
She taught him discipline, harmony, and a deep respect that comes with communal music-making.
Meanwhile, his grandfather imparted patience and a sense of belonging — lessons that would later anchor him as an artist.
“They shaped the way I see music, and the way I see life.
“From them, I learnt that music is not about showing off; it’s about connection.”
Born and raised in Nausori Village, Tailevu, with maternal roots in Tavualevu, Tavua, Pojee’s sense of identity has always been tied to family, community, and culture. As the middle child of three siblings, his childhood revolved around shared meals, storytelling, and the rhythm of village life.
“My family taught me about sharing, supporting one another, and staying humble. Those values still guide me.”
Music ran in the family beyond his grandparents. Several cousins, including Merelesia Ranatawake, Joave Ranatawake, and Lenati Ramakosoi of Kavula Production, were involved in singing and production. Watching their creativity flourish offered Pojee an early blueprint of music as both passion and craft.
Beyond family, he was inspired by homegrown acts such as Sekove Raikoro, The Redemption, Vocal Brothers, and Grace Symphony, and by the rhythms of church and village life.
These formative experiences taught him that music is more than performance — it is belonging.
Learning the guitar became a turning point.
“Playing instruments helped me understand music better. It made it easier to write, arrange, and express what I’m feeling.”
His first defining public moment came with VT1S, performing Biliraki by Stee Vereaukula.
“I was really nervous. But I was also excited. That was the moment I realised this is what I want to do and keep growing in.”
Now based in New Zealand, Pojee is navigating a wider musical landscape, but distance has not diluted his roots.
His songs remain intimate, honest, and emotionally grounded.
“My songs are about real life and real emotions. I want them to inspire, uplift, and connect — whether someone is going through something hard or celebrating something good.”
For Pojee, music is not an escape from home — it is an extension of it.
His grandparents’ influence echoes in every note, every rhythm, every performance.
And no matter where his journey takes him, his music will always carry the warmth, discipline, and love they instilled.
