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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.

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Jose Chameleone
Background information
Birth name	Joseph Mayanja
Born	(1979-04-30) 30 April 1979 (age 43) Uganda
Genres	R&B Afro pop Hip hop Dancehall Zouk Afrobeats
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter record producer
Years active	1990s–present
Labels	Leone Island Records
Relatives: Pallaso (brother) Akay 47 (brother) Weasel (brother)

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.[2]

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.[3]

Musical career

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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.[2] 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.[3]

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.[3]

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 [4]

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.[5][6]

He has performed overseas including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium,[7] Malaysia, China, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, Germany, and Switzerland, among others.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

He ran for office as Lord Mayor of Kampala in 2021.[8]

Discography

Albums

Year	Album	Record label
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)

Awards

Won

• 2004 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Artiste of the Year & Song of the Year ("Jamila")[9]
• 2005 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group & Best Afro Beat Single ("Kipepeo")[10]
• 2004 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Album ("Bei Kali")[11]
• 2005 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Album ("Jamila")[12]
• 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group[13]
• 2006 Kisima Music Awards – Best Ugandan Song (Mama Rhoda) & Best Ugandan Music Video (Mama Rhoda)[14]
• 2007 Kisima Music Awards – Best Ugandan Song (Sivyo Ndiviyo with Professor Jay)[15]
• 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[16]
• 2014 HiPipo Music Awards Archived 18 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine – Best Male ZOUK Song "Badilisha"
• 2015 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) – Song Writer of the Year[17]
• 2018 Galaxy Zzina Music Awards – Legend Award[18][19]

Nominated

• 2003 Kora Awards – Best East Africa Artist[20]
• 2004 Kora Awards – Best East African Male Artist[21]
• 2006 MOBO Awards – Best African Act[22]
• 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards – Best African Act
• 2012 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Song (Valu Valu)[23]
• 2014 World Music Awards (three categories) – World Best Male Artist, World Best Live Act & World Best Performer[24]
• 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards – MAMA Evolution Award[25]

References

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