Jose Chameleone

Biography

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, 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×Kipepeo20 February 2005 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 25 tracks1Kipepeo4:352Jamila4:393Mama Mia4:144Shida Zadunia4:325Nekolera Maali3:306Maama Wange4:457Nyanja4:258Maoko Na Maoko4:429Kola Zizo4:2510Jangu Eno Mama4:4911Befula4:2912Dorotia3:5213Bei Kali4:4614Mambo Bado4:3515Njo Karibu4:1016Bombo Clart3:5217Naomba Uniamini3:2018Sanyu Lyange4:2719Katupakase5:0420Kuma Obwesigwa4:3721Haraka Haraka4:1822Effuga Bbi4:2723Mama Rhoda4:4724Ekinuma4:5625Bwosaba4:30, 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, 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, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, Germany, and Switzerland.
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.

Music label

Chameleone is the CEO of the music label 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 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.

Won

2004 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Artiste of the Year & Song of the Year ("Jamila")
2005 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group & Best Afro Beat Single ("Kipepeo×Kipepeo20 February 2005 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 25 tracks1Kipepeo4:352Jamila4:393Mama Mia4:144Shida Zadunia4:325Nekolera Maali3:306Maama Wange4:457Nyanja4:258Maoko Na Maoko4:429Kola Zizo4:2510Jangu Eno Mama4:4911Befula4:2912Dorotia3:5213Bei Kali4:4614Mambo Bado4:3515Njo Karibu4:1016Bombo Clart3:5217Naomba Uniamini3:2018Sanyu Lyange4:2719Katupakase5:0420Kuma Obwesigwa4:3721Haraka Haraka4:1822Effuga Bbi4:2723Mama Rhoda4:4724Ekinuma4:5625Bwosaba4:30")
2004 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Album (Bei Kali)
2005 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Album (Jamila)
2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group
2006 Kisima Music Awards – Best Ugandan Song ("Mama Rhoda") & Best Ugandan Music Video ("Mama Rhoda")
2007 Kisima Music Awards – Best Ugandan Song ("Sivyo Ndiviyo" with Professor Jay)
2014 HiPipo Music Awards Archived 18 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine – Song of the Year ("Badilisha")
2013 African Entertainment Awards – International Best Male Artist
2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male ZOUK Song ("Badilisha")
2015 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) – Song Writer of the Year
2018 Galaxy Zzina Music Awards – Legend Award

Nominated

2003 Kora Awards – Best East Africa Artist
2004 Kora Awards – Best East African Male Artist
2006 MOBO Awards – Best African Act
2007 MTV Europe Music Awards – Best African Act
2012 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Song ("Valu Valu")
2014 World Music Awards (three categories) – World Best Male Artist, World Best Live Act & World Best Performer
2015 MTV Africa Music Awards – MAMA Evolution Award