Jose Chameleone

Joseph Mayanja (born 30 April 1979),[1] better known by the stage name Jose Chameleone, is a Ugandan AfroBeat artist and musician. Chameleone sings in Luganda, English, and Swahili.

Jose Chameleone
Birth nameJoseph Mayanja
Born (1979-04-30) 30 April 1979
Uganda
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
LabelsLeone Island Records
Associated acts
  • AY
  • Dj Pius
  • Ogopa Dj

He started his music career in the early 1990s with the Ogopa Deejays, a Kenyan record label then and managed to gain popularity across the entire African continent. Chameleone's music style is a mixture of Ugandan folk music, central African rumba, zouk, and reggae. He has won about 20 awards.[2][3]

Early Life and Education

Joseph Mayanja was born to Gerald and Prossy Mayanja on 30 April 1979 in Kampala district. He is 4th out of 8 children. He went to Nakasero Primary School, Mengo Senior Secondary School, Kawempe Muslim Senior Secondary School, Katikamu Seventh Day Adventist Senior Secondary School, and Progressive Senior Secondary School.[4]

Musical career

Chameleone's career began about 1996 as a DJ at the Missouri night club in Kampala.Later he signed to the Kenyan record label Ogopa Deejays, which released his first single, "Bageya" that featured Kenyan artist Redsan.[3] Throughout years he has recorded record selling albums like Mama Mia, Mambo Bado, Jamila, Kipepeo, Bageya, Shida za Dunia, Bayuda, and Njo Karibu.

Albums

Jose released his first album in 2000 and by 2013, he had released a total of 13 albums. Some of them include 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". He performed to the largest audience at the Lugogo Cricket Oval Stadium in Kampala.

Bageya, was released in 2000, Mama Mia in 2001, Njo Karibu and The Golden Voice in 2003, Mambo Bado in 2004, Kipepeo in 2005, Shida za Dunia in 2006, Sivyo Ndivyo and Katupakase in 2007, Bayuda in 2009, Vumilia in 2010, Valu Valu in 2012, Badilisha in 2013, Tubonge in 2014, Wale wale in 2015, Sili Mujjawo in 2016, Sweet Banana in 2017, Champion in 2018.[4]

Music Label

He is currently the CEO of the music label Leone Island.[2] Several Artistes have been associated with this label. They include: the late Moses Radio, Weasel, the late AK 47, King Saha, Papa Cidy, and Pallaso, Melody, Yung Mulo and Big Eye.[4]

Other activities

The former speaker of the parliament of Uganda, Rebecca Kadaga, designated Chameleone to be the Ambassador of the Busoga Tourism Initiative. He also Directs Chameleone Foundation aimed at improving skills and talent amongst under opportunitied youths [5]

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.[6][7]

He has performed overseas including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium,[8] Malaysia, China, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, Germany, and Switzerland, among others.[9]

Personal life

Chameleone is married to Danielle Atim. The couple have five children studying and living in the United States.

He ran for office as Lord Mayor of Kampala in 2021.[10]

Discography

Albums
YearAlbumRecord label
2000BageyaOgopa Deejays
2001Mama Mia
2002Njo Karibu
2003The Golden Voice
2004Mambo Bado
2005Kipepeo
2006Shida za Dunia
2007Sivyo Ndivyo
2007Katupakase
2009Bayuda
2010Vumilia
2012Valu Valu
2013Badilisha
2015Wale Wale
2016Sili Mujawo
2017Sweet Banana, Superstar, Mshamba
2018Champion, Mateeka, Kilabe

Tatizo
2020Baliwa, Bolingo ya Nzambe
2021I am Joseph - Coming Soon

Singles

(selected)

  • "Wale Wale"
  • "Valu Valu"
  • "Tubonge"
  • "Badilisha"
  • "Kiggwa Leero"
  • "Mateeka"
  • "Champion"
  • "Bayuda"
  • "Kiboko Fire"
  • "Hannah"
  • "Bomboclat"
  • "Jamila"
  • "Dorotia"
  • "Nkoleki"
  • "All Di Girls"
  • "Relaxing"
  • "Going On"
  • "Moto Moto"
  • "Africa Kiboko Yao"
  • "Bei Kali"
  • "Mama Rhoda"
  • "Ndivyo Sivyo"
  • "Only You"
  • "Mama Mia"
  • "Bwerere"
  • "Meeme Katale"
  • "Naumia"
  • "Nekolela Mali"
  • "Shida Za Dunia"
  • "Forever"
  • "Basiima Ogenze"
  • "Gimme Gimme"
  • "Owakabi"

Awards

Won

Nominated

References

  1. "Jose Chameleone- Biography, Age, Married, Wife, Children, Real names". 10 November 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  2. Thomas, Zadock (16 April 2020). "Jose Chameleone Biography – Age, Education, Songs, Wife, Net Worth". The East African Feed. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  3. https://plus.google.com/+HowweBizUg. "Jose Chameleone Biography, Profile and Life Story". www.howwebiz.ug. Retrieved 31 May 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= (help)
  4. "The legend grows: Life and career of Jose Chameleone". New Vision. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  5. RedPepper website: Speaker Kadaga For Tubonge Concert
  6. "Chameleon". afrobios.com. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  7. Pier, G. David (2015). Ugandan Music in the Marketing Era. pp. 171–179. doi:10.1057/9781137546975. ISBN 978-1-137-54939-6.
  8. Sauti za Busara: Jose Chameleone
  9. "See The Life Style That Jose Chameleone Is Living Now - Opera News". ke.opera.news. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  10. All Africa.com
  11. PAM Awards: 2004 Winners
  12. PAM Awards: 2005 Winners & Nominees
  13. Tanzania Music Awards: Winners 2004
  14. Tanzania Music Awards: 2005 Winners
  15. PAM Awards 2006 Winners
  16. Kisima Awards Winners 2006 Archived 8 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  17. Kisima Awards Winners 2007 Archived 22 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  18. "Official Nominees List for the 2013 African Entertainment Awards".
  19. "All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) - 2015 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Winners List". afrima.org. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017.
  20. "Full List of Zzina Award Winners 2018/2019". 23 March 2019.
  21. "Zzina Awards 2018: Here's the full list of nominees". March 2018.
  22. Kora Awards Nominees 2003
  23. Kora Awards Nominees 2004 Archived 6 January 2005 at the Wayback Machine
  24. IPP Media: Jose Chameleon nominated for UK Music Awards In 2006
  25. Kili awards 2012 Nominees 8 February 2012
  26. "Chameleone Nominated for World Music Awards". 19 February 2014.
  27. http://m.dstv.com/news/mama-evolution-award-nominees-20150630
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