Real Name:
Joseph Mayanja
Music Genre:
Afrobeat
Afropop
Reggae
Record Label:
Leone Island Records
Date of birth:
30-04-1979
Age:
44
Nationality:
UGANDA
Chameleon
- Background
- Break
- Did you know?
Jose Chameleon, born Joseph Mayanja on 30 April 1979 in Uganda, is an Afrobeat and reggae musician. His other stage names include Joe Chameleon, Jose Chameleone, or simply Chameleone (sometimes spelled Chameleon). He is one of the most popular Ugandan musicians of the 21st century and enjoys strong popularity in many countries throughout Africa. Chameleone sings in Luganda, English and Swahili. Several of his songs have yielded popular catchphrases, including Basiima Ogenze, Shida Za Dunia, Nekolera Maali and Badilisha.
Chameleone began his career in the early 1990s as a DJ at the Maganjo Mizuri night club in Kampala while studying at the Progressive Secondary School. He was signed to the Kenyan record label Ogopa DJs. He enjoyed strong success with one of his first singles, "Bageya", which featured Kenyan artist Redsan. He also collaborated with fellow Ugandan Bebe Cool, but later the two developed a tense rivalry.
Chameleone’s musical style is a combination of Ugandan folk music, central African rumba, zouk and reggae. His first album, Bageya, was released in 2000. In 2013 he had released twelve more albums, including 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, and Badilisha in 2013.
Chameleone is a member of the Musician’s Community, a coalition of musicians who use their fame and fortune to help eradicate poverty and create awareness campaigns for HIV/AIDS. He has performed numerous concerts overseas in such countries as the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden and Belgium among others.
Discography
-
Bageya
Released in 2000
Produced by Ogopa Deejays
-
Mama Mia
Released in 2001
Produced by Ogopa Deejays
-
Njo Karibu
Released in 2002
Produced by Ogopa Deejays
-
The Golden Voice
Released in 2003
Produced by Ogopa Deejays
-
Mambo Bado
Released in 2004
Produced by Ogopa Deejays
-
Kipepeo
Released in 2005
Produced by Leone Island Productions
-
Shida za Dunia
Released in 2006
Produced by Leone Island Production
-
Sivyo Ndivyo
Released in 2007
Produced by Leone Island Productions
-
Katupakase
Released in 2007
Produced by Leone Island Productions
-
Bayuda
Released in 2009
Produced by Leone Island Productions
-
Vumilia
Released in 2010
Produced by Leone Island Productions
-
Valu Valu
Released in 2012
Produced by Leone Island Productions
-
Badilisha
Released in 2013
Produced by Leone Island Productions
-
Tubonge
Released in 2014
Produced by Leone Island Productions
References
-
http://www.africanseer.com/music/african-musicians/327843-jose-chameleone.html
Singles
-
2000
Title Album Bageya Bageya -
2012
Title Album Valu Valu Valu Valu