FIJI
George Veikoso, otherwise known as “Fiji” was born on the island of Viti Levu in the village of Buratu. He left his native land of Fiji at the age of 14 and has since made Hawaii his home away from home. His journey into the music realm began in the church choir and his love and passion for music has propelled him to be one of the most well-known and sought after Pacific Islander music artist in the world. His music is a fusion of reggae, hip-hop, RnB, Jazz and traditional Pacific sounds. Fiji has won several music awards, including Hawaii’s most coveted Na Hoku Hanohano award for the Male Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year in 1998. His songs have been featured in various TV shows such as Bay Watch Hawaii and MTV’s Real World Hawaii. Yet, in spite of his many accomplishments, Fiji believes that what is most rewarding is knowing that his music has made some kind of positive impact among those who listen to it; whether its helping someone to get through a hard day or inspiring someone to reach their fullest potential, but just knowing that he has helped in a positive way makes everything worth it!
Fiji will be in West Valley City, Utah on Friday, December 07, 2007 as part of the Island Christmas Bash. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear Fiji live at the E-Center! Purchase your tickets now!!!
PT: What is the story behind your most recent album “Xperience” and what’s the significance of the album title?
Fiji: Each of my albums have significant meanings behind it and so in order to understand my most recent album you have to go back to the beginning. It starts out with Evolution and then Born and Raised which focused on my upbringing and the music that I was brought up with. My albums Gratitude, Independence Day, and Transition were all very reflective of what I was going through at the time and this most recent album is no different. When I recorded Xperience, I was in a real gray area and I was finally getting free from a lot of obligations from the past and so this was my first step out to be on my own and break free from the umbrella type situation I had been under. The album Xperience was a step out where I fully could mark X and that X marks the new spot or space that I am at right now and the new experiences that come along with it.
PT: You are among a handful of music artists who not only sings but also writes and produces your own music, what’s it like to be involved in every single process of the production of an album? Why is this important to you?
Fiji: It’s very important to me to be involved and I think it’s really up to the artist and you have to take the responsibility and decide how deeply involved you want to be in your career and how you want people to hear you. I learned from doing a variety of different things. I did a lot of background singing, a lot of co-production and co-writing for many years and it was a great learning experience for me and ultimately I had so much to gain from it! Each part of it whether it’s the performing, writing, or producing is unique and special. I am learning everyday and there is so much more to learn. The most beautiful thing is when the song is done and you see the impact it has on people and how it affects them in a positive way; it makes all the hard work worth it.
PT: What would you like your audience to get out of your music?
Fiji: I would like for them to see a reflection of our way of life as Island people and as Polynesian people. I want them to know about us, to understand the culture that we come from, the history that comes with it and our way of thinking. I want them to know that although there is a warrior side to us there is also a heart side to us that a lot of people don’t see right away when they meet us. We have so much love and passion as humans and humanitarians.
PT: Out of all your songs, which one would you say is the most empowering to you personally and why?
Fiji: I feel that each of my songs are special and empower me in different ways. When I write the lyrics, I know this may sound funny, but I actually just let the song write itself. I begin by writing from my own experiences and then I just go with my emotions and just roll with it. Sometimes I walk into the studio with no ideas before hand and I just start playing around and everything just falls into place including the lyrics and the whole song.
PT: At the end of your career in the music industry, how would you like to be remembered?
Fiji: I would like to be remembered as someone who promoted a lot of love and tried to share that love with others. I would like to be remembered as someone who used his own experiences, of growing up in a broken family kind of situation, to help make the world a better place, to make life easier for others and to mend a lot of the broken hearts. I would like to be remembered as someone who did his best to try to spread as much awareness about our culture and love for our people.
PT: What is something about you that would surprise your fans?
Fiji: That I am about 48% Tongan!!!
PT: What does it mean to you to live a “life filled with purpose”?
Fiji: It means to me that I must use my musical talents to help touch the lives of others. It means everything to me to hear people say that my music and lyrics had helped to save their marriage, bring a son or daughter back home, walk away from an abusive relationship, or strengthen family ties. If my music can help do that, then I am living a life filled with purpose.
PT: What do you feel is our contribution as Pacific peoples to the rest of the world?
Fiji: We have the biggest heart! We have such a strong culture! We are survivors, our spirit can survive in any place and that’s why we can live anywhere and still love life!
Fiji’s Myspace Page
