Jose Chameleone

Jose Chameleone
Background information
Born	Joseph Mayanja (1979-04-30) 30 April 1979 (age 47) Kampala, Uganda
Genres	African rumba R&B Afro pop hip-hop dancehall zouk Afrobeats
Occupations	Singer songwriter record producer
Years active	1990s–present
Label	Leone Island Music Empire
Spouse	Daniella Atim ​ ​ (m. 2008; div. 2017)​
Relatives: Pallaso (brother) Akay 47 (brother) Weasel (brother)

Joseph Mayanja (born 30 April 1979), commonly known by his stage name "Jose Chameleone", is a Ugandan AfroBeat artist and musician. He sings in Luganda, English, and Swahili.

Early life and education

Joseph Mayanja was born on 30 April 1979 to Gerald and Prossy Mayanja in Kampala district, as the fourth of eight children.

He went to Nakasero Primary School, Mengo Senior Secondary School, Kawempe Muslim Senior Secondary School where he composed the School Anthem that’s been used until today, Katikamu Seventh Day Adventist Senior Secondary School, and Progressive Senior Secondary School.

He composed the Kawempe Muslim Secondary School anthem. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church of Uganda.

Musical career

Chameleone's music style is a mixture of Ugandan folk, central African rhumba, zouk, and reggae.

His career began in 1996 as a DJ at the Missouri night club in Kampala. He became active as a musician in 1998 in Kenya with the Ogopa Deejays, then a Kenyan record label, which released his first single, "Bageya", featuring Kenyan artist Redsan.

Chameleone released his first album, Mama Mia, in 2000. By 2013, he had released a total of 13 albums, including Kipepeo, Shida za dunia, Valu valu, Bayuda, Badilisha, Sweet Banana and Champion. Some of his hit songs include "Valu valu", "Jamila", "Shida za dunia", Bayuda, "Tatizo", "Nkwagala nyo", "Kipepeo", "Dorotia" and "Kipepeo".

Although his music is popular all over the African continent, the majority of his fans/listeners are mainly from the central part of Africa (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania).

He performed to the largest audience at the Lugogo Cricket Oval Stadium in Kampala.

Chameleone has performed internationally, including in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium, Malaysia, China, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, United Arab Emirates, Oman,Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, Germany, and Switzerland.^{[citation needed]}

2010: Jose Chameleone took Ugandan music to the world stage—collaborating with Kelly Rowland, 2Face Idibia and Samini on “Everywhere You Go”, then performing at the FIFA World Cup closing ceremony before a global audience of over 500 million. A historic moment. A global legacy.

He toured Australia in 2017 and in March 2023.

In February 2023, Chameleone held a successful concert titled "Gwanga Mujje", which translates to "let the whole nation attend". The event took place at Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala. Originally planned for an earlier date, the concert was postponed due to heavy rain and rescheduled for 24 February 2023.

Chameleone organised a sold-out charity event called "One Man, One Million" at Victoria Hall in Kampala. The event was endorsed by the first lady of Uganda, Janet Museveni, and attendees were required to pay one million Ugandan Shillings to attend.

Other activities

The former speaker of the parliament of Uganda, Rebecca Kadaga, designated Chameleone the Ambassador of the Busoga Tourism Initiative.

He also directs Chameleone Foundation, which is aimed at improving skills and talent amongst disadvantaged youth.

Chameleone is a member of a coalition of musicians who use their fame and fortune to help reduce poverty and create awareness campaigns for HIV/AIDS.

He ran for office as Lord Mayor of Kampala in 2021.

Awards

Discography

See also

• Bobi wine
• Bebe cool