George 'Fiji' Veikoso: The iconic voice that united the Pacific

RNZ News

6 days ago

George "Fiji" Veikoso was one of the Pacific's most beloved musical voices.
Photo:
Facebook / Homecoming Music Festival
"I knew that it was that time"
Those were the quiet words of Dave Stevens, one of George 'Fiji' Veikoso's closest companions.
Stevens told RNZ Pacific he cared for the island reggae icon for "over a year" and was by his side in Suva when he passed away last Wednesday at the age of 55.
Speaking from Suva, Stevens' voice quivered as he tried to find the right words to talk.
"I'm feeling ok, at the same time I'm like, he knew it was his time to go, right now we don't have anything to say in terms of hearts are achin', but he knew his time was right."
The Pacific has lost one of its most beloved musical voices.
'Fiji' was a the legendary artist known for blending soul, R&B, and island harmonies that redefined Pacific music. He is being remembered by fans and leaders across the region.
His music spanned generations, with hits like
'Lonely Days'
and
'Come On Over'
becoming anthems not just in Fiji, but across the entire Pacific diaspora.
To many, he was not just an entertainer; he was the soundtrack to family barbecues, long drives, heartbreaks, and homecomings.
His passing marks the end of an era, as he now joins a pantheon of Pacific greats such as Daniel Rae Costello, another Fijian-born singer who died on 22 July 2019.
George 'Fiji' Veikoso helped shape the sounds of Island reggae and R&B.
Photo:
ABC Pacific / Penina Momoisea
Another one of his closest childhood friends Akuila Qumi said their relationship began long before Fiji catapulted into fame.
"We were brought up in the same neighbourhood in Raiwaqa. I first heard of him when I was 13; he was much older."
"As a person, he was very humble, very intelligent, a good brother.
"He took off to Hawaii in the late 80s and came back in 1996 when his grandfather passed away. That's when we connected; he was staying over at my place.
"Just an experience that I went through with him that sort of solidified our friendship, saying nah this guy is on another level, he's special," Qumi said.
According to Qumi, Veikoso's grandfather instilled in him his Fijian roots.
After the passing of his grandfather, Qumi and Veikoso experienced a supernatural phenomenon.
"There was this experience I'd never forget," Qumi said.
"Suddenly, the doors busted open, the curtains were parallel, there was a strong wind, I mean, I was freaking out, and then I was looking at [Veikoso] and he was staring up in the air, and there were tears in his eyes, going 'my grandfather's here to see me'.
"So out of the blue this butterfly flew in and right in front of him, by that time the curtains were just parallel, waving out and then he told his grandfather that he would do his best, that he would honour him and take the music, take the culture out to the world.
"When that happened, the butterfly flew out and everything went normal, so that kicked off his friendship and from then on I said this guy is special, he's got some mana with him, and he's gifted. So, over the years, I was fortunate to see him in his element."
Veikoso was born in Fiji, and later moved to Hawai'i where his music career truly began, starting out as a member of the band Rootstrata in the 1980s, then eventually going solo, carving out a distinctive sound that blended reggae, soul, gospel, and island rhythms.
Fiji released hit albums including
'Born and Raised'
,
'Indigenous Life', 'Love and Roots', 'Xperience'
and his last album
'Coconut Island'
and
'Indigo'
to name a few.
Veikoso was a huge inspiration for local musicians in Fiji who would look forward to seeing him back on the island.
One in particular is Big Wils, who described his first gig alongside Veikoso as a career-defining moment.
"The last time I met him was last month, his cousin Dave was playing at the Crown Plaza, that was the last time and I didn't think it would be the last time"
Big Wills said Veikoso was preparing for the upcoming
'Homecoming Festival'
in Nadi this September.
"He was talking about homecoming, about how excited he was, and how busy he was. We were all excited and looking forward to it. It's so sad to hear the news.
Big Wills said everyone in Fiji is in mourning.
"He put Fiji on the world map," he said.
New Zealand Fijian poet and relative Daren Kamali said while the loss is painful, there's a sense of peace knowing Fiji had been unwell for some time.
"When he's here in Aotearoa, he always has my name at the door.
He said the family are all content that Veikoso is no longer suffering.
"We are all sort of content he's now at rest now, he's been in pain a long time, although he didn't show it, he was actually suffering as well.
"We're glad he's resting now".
Fijian Prime Minister Sitveni Rabuka posted a tribute online, describing Veikoso as "one of the greatest musicians of all time".
"I am saddened to learn of the passing of one of the greatest musicians of all time, George Fiji Veikoso a proud son of Fiji, a legend in his own right - his voice inspired so many across the Pacific and around the world.
"A true ambassador of Fiji on the regional and international stage, his music inspired generations and his legacy will live on in the hearts of thousands of people.
"On behalf of the government and the people of Fiji, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fans around the world, Rest in peace, Fiji." Rabuka wrote.
New Zealand Labour Party deputy leader, Carmel Sepuloni reflected on her time with the late artist who impressed her with his extensive knowledge of Pacific history.
She considered herself lucky to have shared moments with Veikoso who she nicknamed 'Porgy'.
"Fiji is a legend to our whole pacific region and our pacific community, we've all spent many years as the backdrop to our lives.
"We were fortunate to be in Samoa at the time of the homecoming concert there, I was there for work and we stayed on to spend time with George.
"The thing many people didn't know about George is the man was like a historian he was incredibly intelligent, he knew about the history about our Pacific region, he was so good with our Pasifika languages.
"He will be sadly missed, he was a great supporter and mentor to other Pacific musicians and I've heard and seen from so many of them, they're really feeling it right now.
Sepuloni said that he will be greatly missed by many, and his passing marks a significant loss for the music industry.
The last time Veikoso visited Aotearoa was during the Moana Pasifika match versus the Hurricanes, a game their team won.
He was photographed celebrating with the team.