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Joseph Mayanja, 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 to Gerald and Prossy Mayanja in Kampala district, as the fourth of eight children. He attended Nakasero Primary School, Mengo Senior Secondary School, Kawempe Muslim Senior Secondary School, Katikamu Seventh Day Adventist Senior Secondary School, and Progressive Senior Secondary School. Chameleone composed the Kawempe Muslim Secondary School anthem.
Musical Career
Chameleone’s music style is a mixture of Ugandan folk, central African rumba, zouk, and reggae. His career began in 1996 as a DJ at the Missouri night club in Kampala, later becoming active as a musician in 1998 in Kenya with the Ogopa Deejays. His first single, “Bageya,” featuring Kenyan artist Redsan, was released under the Ogopa Deejays label.
Over the years, Chameleone has released record-selling albums locally, including Mama Mia, Mambo Bado, Jamila, Kipepeo, Bageya, Shida za Dunia, Bayuda, and Njo Karibu. Although his music is popular across Africa, the majority of his fans are from the central part of the continent, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Albums
Jose Chameleone has released a total of 13 albums by 2013, 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.”
- Albums Released:
- Bageya (2000)
- Mama Mia (2001)
- Njo Karibu and The Golden Voice (2003)
- Mambo Bado (2004)
- Kipepeo (2005)
- Shida za Dunia (2006)
- Sivyo Ndivyo and Katupakase (2007)
- Bayuda (2009)
- Vumilia (2010)
- Valu Valu (2012)
- Badilisha (2013)
- Tubonge (2014)
- Wale Wale (2015)
- Sili Mujjawo (2016)
- Sweet Banana (2017)
- Champion (2018)
Tours
Chameleone has performed internationally in the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium, 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.
Concerts
In February 2023, Chameleone held a successful concert titled “Gwanga Mujje” at Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala. The event, initially planned for an earlier date, was rescheduled due to heavy rain. Additionally, Chameleone organized a sold-out charity event called “One Man, One Million” at Victoria Hall in Kampala, endorsed by the first lady of Uganda, Janet Museveni.
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, Yung Mulo, and Big Eye.
Other Activities
Rebecca Kadaga, the former speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, appointed Chameleone as the Ambassador of the Busoga Tourism Initiative. Additionally, he leads the Chameleone Foundation, dedicated to enhancing skills and talent among disadvantaged youth.
Chameleone is part of a coalition of musicians leveraging their fame and resources to combat poverty and raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
In 2020, Achai Wiir gifted him a new Toyota V8.
He contested for the position of Lord Mayor of Kampala in 2021.
Personal Life
Chameleone is married to Daniella Atim, and the couple has five children who study and reside in the United States.
Awards
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”)
- 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 – 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
Discography
Albums:
- 2000: Bageya (Ogopa Deejays)
- 2001: Mama Mia
- 2002: Njo Karibu
- 2003: The Golden Voice
- 2004: Mambo Bado
- 2005: Kipepeo
- 2006: Shida za Dunia
- 2007: Sivyo Ndivyo
- 2007: Katupakase
- 2009: Bayuda
- 2010: Vumilia
- 2012: Valu Valu
- 2013: Badilisha
- 2015: Wale Wale
- 2016: Sili Mujawo
- 2017: Sweet Banana, Superstar, Mshamba
- 2018: Champion, Mateeka, Kilabe, Tatizo
- 2020: Baliwa, Bolingo ya Nzambe
- 2021: I 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”
Jose Chameleon Songs
