Jose Chameleone
Joseph Mayanja,[1] better known by the stage name Jose Chameleone (born 30 April 1979), is a Ugandan AfroBeat artist and musician. Chameleone sings in Luganda, English, and Swahili, and has won awards.[2]
Jose Chameleone | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Joseph Mayanja |
| Born | 30 April 1979 Uganda |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Labels | Leone Island Records |
| Associated acts |
|
Known under the mononym Chameleone or at times as Dr. Jose Chameleone, he is one of the most popular East African musicians of the 21st century, Uganda Music icon with outstanding diversity both Musically and Linguistically as he manages to express himself across different societies and Countries in their different languages accordingly.
He started his music career in the early 1990s with the Ogopa Deejays, a Kenyan record label then and managed to gain popularity because of his talent across the entire African continent. Chameleone's music style is a mixture of Ugandan folk music, central African rumba, zouk, and reggae. He has won about 20 awards, and continues to enjoy popularity across the African continent.[3][4]
Musical career
Chameleone's career began about 1996 as a DJ at the Missouri night club in Kampala.Later he signed to the Kenyan record label Ogopa Deejays, which released his first single, "Bageya" that featured Kenyan artist Redsan.[4]Throughout years he has recorded record selling albums like Mama Mia, Mambo Bado, Jamila, Kipepeo, Bageya, Shida za Dunia, Bayuda, and Njo Karibu. Jose 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. He is currently the CEO of the music label Leone Island.[3] 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.
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 impoving skills and talent amongst under opportunitied youths [5]
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.[6][7]
He has performed overseas including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium,[8] Malaysia, China, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, Germany, and Switzerland, among others.[9]
Personal life
Chameleone is married to Danielle Atim. The couple have five children studying and living in the United States.
He ran for office as Lord Mayor of Kampala in 2021 .[10] Under his Label LEONE ISLAND MUSIC EMPIRE He contributed in supporting and Making so many today recognised artistes like,Radio and Weasel; Goodlyfe Crew; ,Pallaso , Chagga, AK47 Emmanuel Mayanja, King Saha , Papa Cidy, Melody, Slate Nation, Mr Lengs and many more regional musicians.
Discography
Albums
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
