Jose Chameleone Explained

Jose Chameleone
Label:Leone Island Records
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Joseph Mayanja
Birth Date:1979 4, df=yes
Birth Place:Kampala, Uganda
Years Active:1990s–present
Module:Relatives:
Associated Acts:
  • AY
  • Dj Pius
  • Ogopa Dj

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

Early life and education

Joseph Mayanja was born on 30 April 1979[1] to Gerald and Prossy Mayanja on 30 April 1979 in Kampala district, as the fourth of eight 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.[2]

He composed the Kawempe Muslim Secondary School anthem.[3] [4]

Musical career

Chameleone's music style is a mixture of Ugandan folk, central African rumba, zouk, and reggae.[5]

Chameleone's 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.

Throughout the years he has had record selling albums locally like Mama Mia, Mambo Bado, Jamila, Kipepeo, Bageya, Shida za Dunia, Bayuda, and Njo Karibu. 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 Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania).[6] [7]

Albums

Jose Chameleone released his first album in 2000 and by 2013, he has 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 2013, Wale wale in 2014, Sili Mujjawo in 2016, Sweet Banana in 2017, Champion in 2018.[8] [9] [10]

Tours

Chameleone has performed internationally, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium,[11] Malaysia, China, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, Germany, and Switzerland, among others.

He toured Australia in 2017 and again in March 2023.[12]

Concerts

In February 2023, musician 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.[13] [14]

In addition, 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.[15] [13]

Music label

Chameleone is the CEO of the music label known as Leone Island. Artists associated with this label have included: the late Mosey Radio, Weasel, the late AK 47 Mayanja, King Saha, Papa Cidy, Pallaso, Melody Uganda, Yung Mulo and Big Eye.

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, which is aimed at improving skills and talent amongst disadvantaged youth.[16]

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.[17] [18]

He was gifted a new Toyota V8 in 2020 by Achai Wiir.[19]

He ran for office as Lord Mayor of Kampala in 2021.[20]

He was gifted a new Range Rover in 2022 by Mr. Toyota.[21]

Personal life

Chameleone married Daniella Atim in 2008,[22] with whom he has five children who study and live in the United States.[23] Atim filed for divorce in 2017[24] and the couple has been separated as of 2018.[25]

Awards

Won

Nominated

Discography

Albums

Year Album Record label
2000Bageya
2001Mama Mia
2002Njo Karibu
2003The Golden Voice
2004Mambo Bado
2005Kipepeo
2006Shida za Dunia
2007Sivyo Ndivyo
2007Katupakase
2009Bayuda
2010Vumilia
2012Valu Valu
2013Badilisha
2014Wale Wale
2016Sili Mujawo
2017Sweet Banana, Superstar, Mshamba
2018Champion, Mateeka, KilabeTatizo
2020Baliwa, Bolingo ya Nzambe
2021I am Joseph - Coming Soon

Singles

(selected)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016-11-10. Jose Chameleone- Biography, Age, Married, Wife, Children, Real names. 2021-05-07. en-US. 7 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507080418/https://kenyanlife.info/jose-chameleone/. live.
  2. Web site: The legend grows: Life and career of Jose Chameleone . 2022-03-08 . New Vision . en.
  3. Web site: BigEyeUg3 . 2013-09-06 . Ten Things You Did Not Know About Dr.Jose Chameleone . 2023-02-18 . BigEye.UG . en-US.
  4. Web site: Mwesigwa . Solomon . 2020-02-29 . Jose Chameleone: I sat for UACE exams to pursue a degree in the USA . 2023-02-18 . MBU . en-US.
  5. Web site: Jose Chameleone Biography, Profile and Life Story. 2021-05-31. www.howwebiz.ug. 2 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215329/https://www.howwebiz.ug/JChameleone/biography. live.
  6. Web site: Chameleone and AK47 thrill Rwandan fans . HiPipo . 2023-02-18 . en-US.
  7. Web site: Ampurire . Paul . Bebe Cool's stardom in Nairobi is what pushed Chameleone to leave Uganda – Chagga . 30 December 2021 . 2023-02-18 . en-US.
  8. Web site: Jose Chameleone on Apple Music . 2023-02-18 . Apple Music . en-GB.
  9. Web site: Jose Chameleone . 2023-02-18 . Spotify . en.
  10. Web site: Jose Chameleone . 2023-02-18 . Deezer . en-US.
  11. Web site: Sauti za Busara: Jose Chameleone . 17 February 2007 . 10 October 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081010152350/http://www.busaramusic.com/database/artists.php?whereartistlike=%25Jose%20Chameleone%25 . live .
  12. Web site: Cutting . Lucie . How Ugandan superstar Jose Chameleone was enticed to perform in Tasmania by Hobart mum . ABC News (Australia). 23 April 2023 . 25 April 2023.
  13. Web site: Luggya . Jude . Chameleone dedicates One Man One Million concert to Karamoja – Sqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos . 10 October 2014 . 2023-03-17 . en-US.
  14. Web site: Independent . The . 2023-02-21 . Event organisers call a halt to 'Gwanga Mujje' concert over unpaid losses . 2023-03-17 . The Independent Uganda . en-US.
  15. Web site: Chameleon halves 'one man one million' concert ticket fee . 2023-03-17 . New Vision . en.
  16. Web site: RedPepper website: Speaker Kadaga For Tubonge Concert . 1 April 2014 . 19 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220819154621/https://redpepper.co.ug/speaker-kadaga-for-tubonge-concert/ . live .
  17. Web site: Chameleon. 2021-05-31. afrobios.com. 2 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215623/http://afrobios.com/-Chameleon. live.
  18. Book: Pier, G. David. 2015. Ugandan Music in the Marketing Era. 171–179. 10.1057/9781137546975. 978-1-137-54939-6. 31 May 2021. 3 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180603214256/https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057%2F9781137546975. live.
  19. Web site: Ray . Lee . 2020-08-14 . Meet Achai Wiir, The South Sudanese Lady Tycoon Who Gifted Jose Chameleone Toyota Land Cruiser V8 . 2023-02-13 . Routine Blast : Gossip, Showbiz, Breaking News in Uganda . en-US.
  20. Web site: All Africa.com . 20 April 2020 . 24 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190924172821/https://allafrica.com/stories/201906050404.html . live .
  21. Web site: Jose Chameleone gifted new car, switches back to NRM (VIDEO) . 20 September 2021 .
  22. 2007-12-21 . Wedding bells for Chameleone, Kassagga . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240417181727/https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1212938/wedding-bells-chameleone-kassagga . 2024-04-17 . live.
  23. Web site: Chameleone Gives Germany Party Goers Good Performance — Video . 2023-02-18 . www.howwe.ug . 10 October 2015 . en.
  24. 2017-04-19 . Wife to singer Chameleon files for divorce, Chameleon denies . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240417180506/https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/entertainment/wife-to-singer-chameleon-files-for-divorce-chameleon-denies-1697352 . 2024-04-17 . live.
  25. 2018-09-18 . Singer Chameleone announces end of his marriage with wife Daniella . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240417180118/https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/singer-chameleone-announces-end-of-his-marriage-with-wife-daniella-1778516 . 2024-04-17 . live.
  26. https://web.archive.org/web/20050204005728/http://pamawards.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage PAM Awards: 2004 Winners
  27. https://web.archive.org/web/20070702053829/http://pamawards.com/pages/2005.php PAM Awards: 2005 Winners & Nominees
  28. https://web.archive.org/web/20041204012935/http://www.kilitimetz.com/winners.html Tanzania Music Awards: Winners 2004
  29. https://web.archive.org/web/20060904080403/http://www.kilitimetz.com/2005/awards/winners Tanzania Music Awards: 2005 Winners
  30. https://archive.today/20121204190055/http://www.ugandaonline.net/2006 PAM Awards 2006 Winners
  31. http://www.kisimaawards.co.ke/kminner.asp?cat=winners Kisima Awards Winners 2006
  32. http://www.kisimaawards.co.ke/kminner.asp?cat=winners07 Kisima Awards Winners 2007
  33. Web site: Official Nominees List for the 2013 African Entertainment Awards. 8 April 2018. 8 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073732/https://www.modernghana.com/music/22512/official-nominees-list-for-the-2013-african-entertainment-aw.html. live.
  34. Web site: All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) - 2015 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Winners List . afrima.org . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032507/https://afrima.org/english/index.php/media2/news-update/171-2015-all-africa-music-awards-afrima-winners-list . 2017-12-01.
  35. Web site: Full List of Zzina Award Winners 2018/2019. 23 March 2019. 20 April 2020. 31 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200131234008/http://www.galaxyfm.co.ug/2019/03/23/full-list-of-zzina-award-winners-2018-2019/. live.
  36. Web site: Zzina Awards 2018: Here's the full list of nominees. March 2018. 20 April 2020. 15 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200215125935/http://bigeye.ug/zzina-awards-2018-heres-the-full-list-of-nominees/. live.
  37. https://web.archive.org/web/20040302070738/http://www.koraawards.co.za/english/musicawards_finalists_res03.asp?Category_en=Best+Artist+-+East+Africa Kora Awards Nominees 2003
  38. http://www.yeahbo.net/KoraAwardsWinners2004.xls Kora Awards Nominees 2004
  39. [IPP Media]
  40. Web site: Kili awards 2012 Nominees 8 February 2012 . 13 October 2012 . 19 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220819154716/http://bongo5.com/kili-awards-2012-nominees-hawa-hapa-02-2012/ . live .
  41. Web site: Chameleone Nominated for World Music Awards. 19 February 2014. 8 April 2018. 20 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170720200739/http://www.chimpreports.com/17208-chameleone-nominated-for-world-music-awards. live.
  42. Web site: DSTV Mobile — DSTV | Movies | Sport | Series | Music | TV Guide | Entertainment . 8 April 2018 . 10 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191010154319/http://m.dstv.com/news/mama-evolution-award-nominees-20150630 . dead .

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