BIGSONG:
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.
He started his music career in the early 1990s in Kenya with the Ogopa Deejays, a Kenyan record label then. Chameleone’s music style is a mixture of Ugandan folk, central African rumba, zouk, and reggae.
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.
Musical career
Chameleone’s career began in 1996 as a DJ at the Missouri night club in Kampala. Later he was signed to the Kenyan record label Ogopa Deejays, which released his first single, “Bageya” that featured Kenyan artist Redsan. Throughout the years he has had record selling albums 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 (Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania).
Albums
Jose Chameleone 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.
Music label
He is the CEO (chief Executive Officer )of the music label known as Leone Island. Several Artistes have been associated with this label. They include: the late Mosey Radio, Weasel, the late AK 47, King Saha, Papa Cidy, and Pallaso, Melody, 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 aimed at improving skills and talent amongst under opportuned youthsChameleone 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 has performed overseas including 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.
Personal life
Chameleone is married to Danielle Atim. The couple has five children namely Abba Marcus Mayanja, Alfa Joseph Mayanja, Alba Shyne Mayanja, Amma Christian Mayanja and Xara Amani Mayanja studying and living in the United States.He ran for office as Lord Mayor of Kampala in 2021.
