Honouring a legend: The farewell to 'Fiji', icon of Pacific music

Pacific music legend George Brooks "Fiji" Veikoso was laid to rest in Suva, following a requiem service at the Vodafone Arena on Tuesday.

He passed away on 24 July after a long illness at the age of 55.

According to a family spokesperson, the paramount chief of Nadi Province accorded the high protocol of accompanying the late Veikoso to his family and his vanua (people) in Suva.

This is a protocol only accorded to chiefs, which shows the lineage Veikoso had, but he portrayed it "with such humility", choosing to be buried among everyday Fijians in the Old Suva Cemetery (Lovonilase) instead of the traditional burial grounds at his village in Tailevu.

In her tribute to her father, Arieta Veikoso shared that "he was everything to us, and he lifted everyone up, and expected nothing in return.

“Today, I didn’t prepare anything to speak, but I’m just going to talk to him. I know he’d be so proud to see everybody coming together. This was his only dream that he ever wanted was for everyone to be as one.”

“He was in so much pain for so long. We just want to let him know that we love him and that wherever he is, we hope that he’s okay, and he has finally found peace."

Arieta Veikoso delivers an eulogy at her father's funeral service in Suva on Tuesday. Photo/Supplied

Fiji impacted Fijian and Pasifika music, blending R&B, jazz, soul, gospel, and reggae to create a unique sound that earned him widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including a Grammy nomination.

Fiji began his journey in the busy streets of Raiwaqa in Suva before moving to Hawai'i in 1987, a time marked by major political turmoil in the country.

In Hawai'i, he thrived musically, earning a Grammy nomination in 2002 for his involvement in the reggae album Island Warriors.

He proudly embraced his Fijian heritage, telling the Honolulu Star Tribune: “I put the name Fiji on me just to show that Fijians are definitely a very positive force in the Pacific.”

Known for his incredible voice range, which allowed him to switch easily between smooth melodies and powerful high notes, Fiji or Pojee as he was called back then, fused genres like R&B, jazz, soul, gospel, and Poly and island reggae to create his unique sound.

His catchy tunes and harmonies earned acclaim from reggae icons and elevated him to stardom. His passing sparked an outpouring of tributes on social media, reminding many of previous moments of unity in music history.

Fiji performing at his Homecoming concert in Nadi last September. Photo/Supplied

Throughout his career, Fiji received many awards, including the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, Favourite Entertainer of the Year, and the People’s Choice Award.

Fiji's career highlights include co-writing Let Me Be the One for the TV show Baywatch and acting in the 2002 surfer film Blue Crush. He produced and released many albums during his career, including Evolution, Born and Raised and Gratitude. One of his all-time most popular songs is Lia.

In 2014, he was honoured as the Best Pacific International Artist Award at the Pacific Music Awards, and in 2018, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting influence on Polynesian reggae music.

By 2023, his music had accumulated over 500 million streams on digital platforms.

He returned home in September for a final performance at the Homecoming Music Festival, which will continue as a tribute to his legacy.

Despite being in a wheelchair, he commanded the stage alongside top Pacific artists like J Boog, Maoli, and Josh Tatofi, delivering an unforgettable show at King Charles Park in Nadi.

Watch Lapi Mariner, a renowned Sāmoan singer, sing the hymn, Agnes Dei, at Fiji's funeral in Suva on Tuesday, below.

Before he died, Fiji was preparing for another concert at the same venue next month.

In light of his death, the festival organisers announced a refund period for ticket holders. But they confirmed that the concert would still take place in honour of Fiji and his musical legacy.

In a statement, the organisers confirmed that ticketholders wishing to request a refund are advised to log in to their TicketMax account and complete the refund process.

Listen to PMN 531pi's Island Time host, Tofiga Fepulea'i, who was in Suva ahead of the funeral.

“This year’s Homecoming will stand as a powerful tribute to 'Fiji,' honouring his legacy and lifelong dedication to music, culture, unity, and the spirit of Fiji,” the statement read.

“We invite fans, friends, and the wider community to come together in celebration of his life, vision, and the extraordinary, unmatched impact he had across the Pacific and global music landscape.”

Fiji is survived by his four children.