TWO of Fiji’s biggest music superstars will grace the stage at the Fiji Performing Rights Association’s 2016 Music Awards this Saturday.
One bears the name of our country and rubs shoulders with the world’s best in his adopted home in the US.
The other has hit the top of the Australian music charts and is an icon in the music scene Down Under.
George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso and Paulini Curuenavuli will both appear at the FPRA 2016 Music Awards at the Grand Pacific Hotel.
And event organiser Seru Serevi said the presence of the two stars would boost the profile of Fiji music’s night of nights.
“George and Paulini are two of Fiji’s most successful artistes abroad and having them both at the same venue is unprecedented and a huge honour,” he said.
“I don’t know when we will be able to get two artistes of this calibre in the same room ever again and this is a wonderful opportunity for music fans to see them live.”
Paulini has recorded and released four albums to date.
One Determined Heart in 2004, Superwoman in 2006, Come Alive in 2015 and Merry Christmas also released last year.
She won an Australian Recording Industry Association ARIA award in 2004 for the number one album and another award for the number one single, Angel Eyes the same year.
The 33-year-old has appeared in eight Australian television shows and acted in a supporting role as Sister Marie in the 2010 movie, Sisters of War.
Paulini has also been recognised as a songwriter and composer. In 2008 she co-wrote Receive the Power with Australian music star Guy Sebastian and the song was chosen as the official anthem for the Roman Catholic Church’s World Youth Day celebration.
In 2010, Paulini recorded Believe Again with Irish music star, Ronan Keating.
In 2011, four songs she composed were released in Spain, South Africa, Germany and Netherlands.
The songs were — Definition of a Woman for South African star, Sasha-Lee Davids, I’m Only Human for German artiste Cherine Nouri and Culpable for Spanish recording artiste, Edurne.
She also wrote Bienvenue dans ma maison (Welcome to My Home) for The Voice France winner Yoann Freget’s debut album in 2014.
Paulini continues to compose and perform and remains a major drawcard at events around Australia.
Much like fellow international star George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso, her journey from obscurity to fame was not easy. In the dog-eat-dog music scene Down Under, Paulini has managed to make a name for herself and in the process earn a more than decent living in Australia.
Similarly, George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso’s journey to music stardom was also not easy.
From his struggles on the streets of Raiwaqa right through to when he became a member of seminal reggae band, Rootstrata, Veikoso did it tough.
In 1987, fed up with the politics of the local music scene and disillusioned with the events surrounding the military takeover of the Government, he decided to head to Hawaii.
Here, Veikoso found opportunities that had eluded him in Fiji.
In 1994, he recorded and released his debut album Evolution. The record spun a number of hits including his version of the classic iTaukei tune, Lia and Patty Austin’s 1981 ode to Bob Marley titled Symphony of Love.
Three years later, Veikoso hit the radio waves and record stores with Born and Raised which featured hits like Sweet Darlin’, Stone Cold, Ku’u Aloha and his version of Dr Hook’s 1978 single Sharing the Night Together.
In 1998, he scooped the Na Hoku Hanohano awards for male vocalist of the year and entertainer of the year. The awards is Hawaii’s equivalent of the Grammies.
In fact, Veikoso almost made it to the Grammies when his collaboration on the Island Warriors compilation album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album in 2000.
Gratitude was released in 1999 and it delivered hits like Anything You Want and Arieta, a song that remains close to his heart.
In 2001, Veikoso released Transition, an album where he remade the Rootstrata classics Warrior of Love and Unemlament.
The album also featured the iTaukei tune Sereima made famous by the Delai Brothers.
Independence Day released in 2006 featured Fiji’s remake of Irish superstar, Ronan Keating’s 2002 hit, If Tomorrow Never Comes.
Veikoso’s 2011 album titled Xperience gave the world another glimpse of his musical genius.
It spawned a number of hits like Come On Over and Morning Ride.
Me and Mrs Jones, a single off Veikoso’s Born and Raised II album released in 2013 has been hailed as one of the best remakes of Billy Paul’s 1972 hit.
This Saturday, the artiste known the world over as Fiji will share thoughts about how he got to where he is.
FPRA 2016 organiser Seru Serevi said his message should inspire young artistes and songwriters to aspire for international recognition.
“His message will be motivational and inspirational,” the veteran musician shared.
“If Fiji can take his music from the streets to the world then there is no reason why other artistes can’t do the same.”
The FPRA 2016 Music Awards will feature live performances by youngsters like Inside Out, Naseda, Dave Steven, Jay Deuce and Katarina Turagakacivi from Dawn Gospel.
For Dave Steven, catching up with Veikoso will be a homecoming of sorts.
They are cousins and Veikoso has acknowledged Dave’s father, the late Paul Steven as an inspiration in his early forays in the music business.
For music fans, this Saturday at the Grand Pacific Hotel will provide an opportunity to see, hear and witness the musical genius of Veikoso live and direct.
Before presenting the premier award, Best Composition, Veikoso will take the stage with Dave Steven.
The FPRA 2016 Music Awards will be held at the Grand Pacific Hotel on Saturday.
The Fiji Times is a sponsor of the event.
