VT1S is not a band.
In fact it is more than the music, the artists, the producer and composers.
It is a Fijian music revolution that is destined for international markets.
The man behind the unique VT1S sound is George Wasile, better known in the music biz as Tropic Thunda.
He said the concept behind VT1S was simple — a showcasing platform to help upcoming artists get opportunities to earn through from their talents. Produced by VTBOP Music, a movement and music label co-founded by Thunda and Steven Vereakula aka Stee, the VT1S project embodies a new spirit and a new chapter in Fijian music.
Thunda produced VT1S self-titled debut album and Stee penned the lyrics. VT1S is not just a band or group, it is collection of amazing young solo artists marketed as a collection for a broader, global, audience.
They are breaking new musical ground with completely new sounds built on international trends and fusing traditional iTaukei chants, lali beats and catchy lyrics with what the rest of the world is listening to.
They are part of a new wave of Fijian artists making Fijian music more than just music for Fijians, and they are doing it from scratch.
While the finished product sounds like something produced in a Los Angeles studio with the backing of big label, the beginnings of the movement, the project and the label were as humble as it could get.
As Thunda explained, lack of equipment was a real hurdle but by the generosity of family and friends who believed in them, they managed to get through.
The pioneer class of the new school of Fijian music in 2021 was made up of Taufa Koli (Taufa), Ratu Elijah Naitini (Ratu), Naomi Kaloumaira (Naomi) and William Timoci Beddoes (Billy T). In 2022 Uluitoga Lesumailepanoni (Soni), William Osborne Wong (Wedger), Nicky Beddoes (Nicky), Elizabeth Sophia Vamarasi (Liz), Isireli Tikoduadua Kotoisuva Osborne (OZZ), Mereoni Semira Ramacake (Oni), Joji Kevetibau (Pojee) and Jorome Tauleka (Jay Tauleka) signed on. Uprising Music Festival 2022 Domo Vou Talei joint winner Peni Roqara (Ju Ben) came on board but was separate from the VT1S project.
On January 1, VTBOP sent out a call for a new crop of artists to send in their demos.
Most of the artists in the first two years have already recorded numerous singles with VTBOP, after coming through VT1S, what VTBOP is calling an international breakout project.
The whole movement is a revolution in the way our music is listened to, heard at home and abroad, and giving artists the ability to produce products that could offer them sustainable livelihood through their talent.
So if you want to catch Ratu, Billy T, Soni, Wedger, Nicky, Liz, Oni, Jay Tauleka, Oz and Ju Ben, head down to the Fiji Fringe Festival at the FMF Gymnasium, on Saturday March 4 between 6pm and 9.30pm you will not just be supporting Fijian artists, but a Fiji music revolution for Fijian artists. Tickets are $40 for the VIP section and $25 for general.
