Chameleone

Joseph Mayanja (born 1979) known for his stage name Jose Chameleon, Joe Chameleon, Jose Chameleone, or just Chameleone (sometimes Chameleon) is a ragga musician from Uganda. He mainly sings in Luganda, English and Swahili. Jose Chameleone has become a Pop Idol in East and Central Africa and Several of His songs have turned into popular phrases such as Basiima Ogenze, Shida Za Dunia, Nekolera Maali Among Others. He is generally Credited with the rejuvenation of Popular Local Music in Uganda at the turn of the Century.

Career

Chameleone started his career in the early 1990s as Disco mc at Maganjo Mizuri night club whilst studying at Progressive Secondary School along Rubaga Road in Mengo, Kampala Uganda. He later affiliated to Ogopa DJs record label from Kenya. One of his first songs was "Bageya", featuring Redsan, a Kenyan artist. He also collaborated with fellow Ugandan Bebe Cool, but later the two are known to have a tense rivalry.

Chameleone’s musical style is a combination of Ugandan folk music, Central African rumba, zouk and ragga. His first album was released in Kenya in 1999. He has since released several albums including “Bageya” in 2000, “Mama Mia” in 2001, “Njo Karibu” in 2002, “The Golden Voice” in 2003, “Mambo Bado”, in 2004 and “Kipepeo” in 2005.

He 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 toured number of overseas countries, the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden and Belgium in 2010 among others ^[1]

His younger brother, using the stage name Weasel, is also a musician, part of the Goodlyfe Crew with Moses Radio.^[2]

Discography

• Bageya (2000)
• Mama Mia (2001)
• Njo Karibu (2002)
• The Golden Voice (2003)
• Mambo Bado (2004)
• Kipepeo (2005)
• Shida za Dunia (2006)
• Sivyo Ndivyo (2007)
• Katupakase (2007)
• Bayuda (2008–2009)
• vumilia (2009–2010)
• Valu Valu (2011–2012)

Selected hit singles

• "Jamila" [1]
• "Mama Rhoda" (featuring Bushoke) [2]
• "Shida za Dunia" [3]
• "Kipepeo" [4]
• "Bei Kali"
• "Fitina Yako"
• "Haraka Haraka"
• "Mambo Bado"
• "Sivyo Ndivyo " [5]
• Goin' On" (Featuring Jackie Chandiru) [6]

Awards

Won:

• 2003 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Artiste of the Year & Best Male Artist & Best Contemporary Artist & Song of the Year ("Mama Mia")^[3]
• 2004 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Artiste of the Year & Song of the Year ("Jamila")^[4]
• 2005 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group & Best Afro Beat Single ("Kipepeo")^[5]
• 2004 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Album ("Bei Kali") ^[6]
• 2005 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Album ("Jamila") ^[7]
• 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group^[8]
• 2006 Kisima Music Awards – Best Ugandan Song (Mama Rhoda) & Best Ugandan Music Video (Mama Rhoda)^[9]
• 2007 Kisima Music Awards – Best Ugandan Song (Sivyo Ndiviyo with Professor Jay) ^[10]

Nominated

• 2003 Kora Awards – Best East Africa Artist ^[11]
• 2004 Kora Awards – Best East African Male Artist ^[12]
• 2006 MOBO Awards – Best African Act ^[13]
• 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards – Best African Act

Controversies

Jose Chameleone has been involved in several Controversies including brawls with rival Musicians such as Bobi Wine, Bebe Cool, His Brother Weasel of Goodlyfe Crew Crew, Vampino Elvis among Others. Several Musicians Including most of Goodlyfe Crew Have left His Label Leone Island Entertainment Under such circumstances. However these controversies have not stopped Him from churning out Hit after Hit.

References

1. ^ Sauti za Busara: Jose Chamaleone
2. ^ The Standard, February 5, 2009: Enter Radio and Weasel
3. ^ PAM Awards 2003 Winners & Nominees (from PAM awards website, now dead link)
4. ^ PAM Awards: 2004 Winners
5. ^ PAM Awards: 2005 Winners & Nominees
6. ^ Tanzania Music Awards – Winners 2004
7. ^ Tanzania Music Awards: 2005 Winners
8. ^ Ugandaonline.net: PAM Awards 2006 Winners
9. ^ Kisima Awards winners 2006
10. ^ Kisima Awards winners 2007
11. ^ Kora Awards Nominees 2003
12. ^ Yeahbo.net, Kora Wards 2004
13. ^ IPP Media: Jose Chameleon nominated for UK music awards

External links

• http://josechameleone.e-monsite.com
• http://www.zone256.com
• Chameleone articles on UGPulse.com
• MySpace page
• Jose Chameleone lyrics, video, audio
• Musicuganda.com
• Daily Nation: Chamelone's new colours
• Busara Music Festival – Jose Chameleone
• Chameleone – Shida Za – Music Video
• Chameleone News and Videos
• [7]
• [8]

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Date of birth	1979
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