George “Fiji” Veikoso, a Fijian icon whose soulful voice and timeless music touched hearts across the Pacific and beyond has passed away.
Polynesian Music has announced this on its social media page.
Fiji was more than a musician; he was a cultural movement, a voice for the people, and a beacon of light in challenging times, said the page.
Born on 10th May 1970 in Tailevu, Fiji, George Veikoso rose from humble beginnings, earning $5 for his first professional singing performance.
His early days with the Fijian band Rootstrata and influences from his uncles, Isireli Racule and jazz star Sakiusa Bulicokocoko, shaped his path.
After moving to Hawaii in 1987 due to Fiji’s coups d’état, he carved out a legacy as a pioneer of the “Lost Coast Sound.”
His 1998 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for Male Vocalist and Favorite Entertainer of the Year, along with a Grammy nomination for the “Island Warriors” compilation, cemented his status as a global reggae icon.
From his debut album “Evolution” to the 2019 release “Love & Roots,” Fiji’s catalog, which surpassed 500 million streams by 2023, resonated deeply.
He co-wrote the “Baywatch Hawaii” theme song and appeared in “Blue Crush,” leaving his mark on popular culture. “Fiji inspired artists across the world. He opened doors and set a standard,” a music industry colleague remarked.
“As we bid farewell, fans and loved ones echo the sentiment: Thank you, Fiji, for your gift. For your music, your heart, and your legacy.”
“His spirit, grounded in love and truth, will live on in every note. George “Fiji” Veikoso, the Greatest of All Time, has left an everlasting song that will never fade. Rest in love.”
