George “Fiji” Veikoso didn’t just sing. He moved oceans. The legendary Pacific voice, who defined island reggae for decades, has died at age 55. His sudden passing has left fans heartbroken, and questions hanging in the air. What happened to the man whose voice became the sound of a generation?
The details of his death remain unclear. No cause has been confirmed. But the heartbreak is real. Just last year, he brought the house down in Nadi at Homecoming Fiji. He was set to return again this September. That moment will now never come.
Island Icon George Fiji Veikoso Leaves Behind a Legacy Still Echoing Through the Pacific
It was Polynesian Music that shared the news with the world. In a powerful tribute, they described Fiji as a “waymaker, a storyteller, a pillar of island music.” Fans flooded social media with grief. Many simply called him “the voice of the Pacific.”
#BREAKING: Beloved island music superstar George Veikoso, more common known as “Fiji” has died.
— Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) July 24, 2025
He was 55 years old. More details on https://t.co/tYuhmvLC4x #HawaiiNews #HNN pic.twitter.com/nCb4aSdZVc
George Veikoso’s journey began humbly in Tailevu. His first gig paid him five dollars. By 1987, he moved to Hawaii to escape political turmoil. There, he shaped the sound that would make him famous: the “Lost Coast Sound.” Awards followed. A Grammy nomination. A Na Hoku Hanohano sweep in 1998. But Fiji never lost his roots.
His discography reads like a map of emotion. “Lia,” “Sweet Darlin’,” and “Smokin’ Session” became cultural touchstones. His 2019 album “Love & Roots” was a love letter to everything he stood for. By 2023, his songs had been streamed more than 500 million times. He co-wrote the theme for Baywatch Hawaii and made a cameo in Blue Crush. His art reached beyond borders.
His death isn’t just a loss to music. It’s a rupture in Pacific identity. Fiji gave the region its sound, its spirit, and its soul. Polynesian Music said it best: “He gave us so much, and we will carry it with us forever.”
