George Brooks Veikoso, better known by his stage name Fiji, was an iconic singer, songwriter and producer from the Fiji Islands, a major figure in Polynesian reggae and contemporary island music. Born on May 10, 1970 in Buretu, Tailevu province, he emigrated to Hawaii in 1987 due to political unrest in his native country. He began his musical career there, singing with the group Rootstrata before going solo. His debut album, Evolution, was released in 1994, followed in 1996 by Born & Raised, which catapulted him onto the international scene with classic tracks such as "Lia" and "Sweet Darlin'". Fiji's unique musical style is a blend of roots reggae, R&B, jazz, hip-hop and Polynesian sounds, often referred to as the Lost Coast Sound. His warm, powerful voice, his talent as an arranger and his touching lyrics make him a benchmark in Pacific music. Throughout his career, he has received numerous honors, including several Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in Hawaii, including Best Singer and People's Favorite Performer. He has also won international awards, such as Best Pacific International Artist in 2014, and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 for his contribution to Polynesian music. Fiji has also participated in projects outside traditional music, including co-writing the theme song for the TV series Baywatch: Hawaii and appearing in the film Blue Crush. Suffering for many years from joint problems, notably gout, which sometimes forced him to use a wheelchair, Fiji died on July 23, 2025, at the age of 55.
