{{Short description|Ugandan musician (born 1979)}} {{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist | image = Jose Chameleone.webp | name = Jose Chameleone | label = Leone Island Records | background = solo_singer | birth_name = Joseph Mayanja | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1979|4|30}} | birth_place = Kampala, Uganda | years_active = 1990s–present | spouse = {{marriage|Daniella Atim|2008|2017|end=divorced}} | module = Relatives: {{unbulleted list|Pallaso (brother)|Akay 47 (brother)|Weasel (brother)}} | genre = {{flat list| *R&B *Afro pop *Hip hop *Dancehall *Zouk *Afrobeats}} | occupation = {{flat list| *Singer *songwriter *record producer}} | associated_acts = {{flatlist| *Beenie Man *Konshens *Sizzla *Morgan Heritage *Dr.Alban *Koffi Olomide *Pallaso *Patoranking *Davido *Goodlyfe Crew *Professor Jay}} *AY *Dj Pius *Ogopa Dj *AK47 Mayanja | landscape = yes }}
'''Joseph Mayanja''' (born 30 April 1979), better known by the stage name '''Jose Chameleone''', is a Ugandan AfroBeat artist and musician. He sings in Luganda, English, and Swahili.
== Early life and education == Joseph Mayanja was born on 30 April 1979<ref name=bio>{{Cite web|date=2016-11-10|title=Jose Chameleone- Biography, Age, Married, Wife, Children, Real names|url=https://kenyanlife.info/jose-chameleone/|access-date=2021-05-07|language=en-US|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507080418/https://kenyanlife.info/jose-chameleone/|url-status=live}}</ref> to Gerald and Prossy Mayanja in Kampala district, as the fourth of eight children.<ref name=":2"/>
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.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=The legend grows: Life and career of Jose Chameleone |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/1509734 |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=New Vision |language=en}}</ref>
He composed the Kawempe Muslim Secondary School anthem.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BigEyeUg3 |date=2013-09-06 |title=Ten Things You Did Not Know About Dr.Jose Chameleone |url=https://bigeye.ug/ten-things-you-did-not-know-about-dr-jose-chameleone/ |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=BigEye.UG |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mwesigwa |first=Solomon |date=2020-02-29 |title=Jose Chameleone: I sat for UACE exams to pursue a degree in the USA |url=http://mbu.ug/2020/02/29/jose-chameleone-i-sat-for-uace-exams-to-pursue-a-degree-in-the-usa/ |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=MBU |language=en-US}}</ref> He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church of Uganda.
==Musical career== Chameleone's music style is a mixture of Ugandan folk, central African rhumba, zouk, and reggae.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Jose Chameleone Biography, Profile and Life Story|url=https://www.howwebiz.ug/JChameleone/biography|access-date=2021-05-31|website=www.howwebiz.ug|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215329/https://www.howwebiz.ug/JChameleone/biography|url-status=live}}</ref>
His career began in 1996 as a DJ at the Missouri night club in Kampala. He became active as a musician in 1998 in Kenya with the Ogopa Deejays, then a Kenyan record label, which released his first single, "Bageya", featuring Kenyan artist Redsan.<ref name=":0" />
Chameleone released his first album, ''Mama Mia'', in 2000. By 2013, he had released a total of 13 albums, including ''Kipepeo'', ''Shida za dunia'', ''Valu valu'', ''Bayuda'', ''Badilisha'', ''Sweet Banana'' and ''Champion''.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jose Chameleone on Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/ug/artist/jose-chameleone/318588116 |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=Apple Music |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jose Chameleone |url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/6nTXL0DkmSqjvcKjn6hCUz |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=Spotify |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jose Chameleone |url=https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/5000009 |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=Deezer |language=en-US}}</ref> Some of his hit songs include "Valu valu", "Jamila", "Shida za dunia", Bayuda, "Tatizo", "Nkwagala nyo", "Kipepeo", "Dorotia" and "Kipepeo".
Although his music is popular all over the African continent, the majority of his fans/listeners are mainly from the central part of Africa (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chameleone and AK47 thrill Rwandan fans |website= HiPipo |url=https://www.hipipo.com/chameleone-and-ak47-thrill-rwandan-fans/ |access-date=2023-02-18 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ampurire |first=Paul |title=Bebe Cool's stardom in Nairobi is what pushed Chameleone to leave Uganda – Chagga |date=30 December 2021 |url=https://pluggedaily.com/2021/12/30/bebe-cools-stardom-in-nairobi-is-what-pushed-chameleone-to-leave-uganda-chagga/ |access-date=2023-02-18 |language=en-US}}</ref>
He performed to the largest audience at the Lugogo Cricket Oval Stadium in Kampala.
Chameleone has performed internationally, including in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium,<ref name="sauti">{{Cite web |url=http://www.busaramusic.com/database/artists.php?whereartistlike=%25Jose%20Chameleone%25 |title=Sauti za Busara: ''Jose Chameleone'' |access-date=17 February 2007 |archive-date=10 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010152350/http://www.busaramusic.com/database/artists.php?whereartistlike=%25Jose%20Chameleone%25 |url-status=live }}</ref> Malaysia, China, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, Germany, and Switzerland.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}
He toured Australia in 2017 and in March 2023.<ref>{{cite web | last=Cutting | first=Lucie | title=How Ugandan superstar Jose Chameleone was enticed to perform in Tasmania by Hobart mum | website=ABC News (Australia)| date=23 April 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-23/ugandan-superstar-jose-chameleone-special-hobart-gig-in-2017/102231108 | access-date=25 April 2023}}</ref>
In February 2023, Chameleone held a successful concert titled "Gwanga Mujje", which translates to "let the whole nation attend". The event took place at Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala. Originally planned for an earlier date, the concert was postponed due to heavy rain and rescheduled for 24 February 2023.<ref name="Luggya">{{Cite web |last=Luggya |first=Jude |title=Chameleone dedicates One Man One Million concert to Karamoja – Sqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos |date=10 October 2014 |url=https://www.sqoop.co.ug/201410/four-one-one/chameleone-dedicates-one-man-one-million-concert-to-karamoja.html |access-date=2023-03-17 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-21 |title=Event organisers call a halt to 'Gwanga Mujje' concert over unpaid losses |url=https://www.independent.co.ug/event-organisers-call-a-halt-to-gwanga-mujje-concert-over-unpaid-losses/ |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=The Independent Uganda |language=en-US}}</ref>
Chameleone organised a sold-out charity event called "One Man, One Million" at Victoria Hall in Kampala. The event was endorsed by the first lady of Uganda, Janet Museveni, and attendees were required to pay one million Ugandan Shillings to attend.<ref name="newvision.co.ug">{{Cite web |title=Chameleon halves 'one man one million' concert ticket fee |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/1317163 |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=New Vision |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Luggya"/>
=== Music label === Chameleone is{{when|date=April 2023}} the CEO of the music label Leone Island. Artists associated with this label have included the late Mosey Radio, Weasel, the late AK 47 Mayanja, King Saha, Papa Cidy, Pallaso, Melody Uganda, Yung Mulo and Big Eye.<ref name=":2" />
==Other activities== The former speaker of the parliament of Uganda, Rebecca Kadaga, designated Chameleone the Ambassador of the Busoga Tourism Initiative.
He also directs Chameleone Foundation, which is aimed at improving skills and talent amongst disadvantaged youth.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.redpepper.co.ug/speaker-kadaga-for-tubonge-concert/ |title=RedPepper website: Speaker Kadaga For Tubonge Concert |access-date=1 April 2014 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819154621/https://redpepper.co.ug/speaker-kadaga-for-tubonge-concert/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chameleon|url=http://afrobios.com/-Chameleon|access-date=2021-05-31|website=afrobios.com|archive-date=2 June 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215623/http://afrobios.com/-Chameleon|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book| last=Pier|first=G. David|date=2015|title=Ugandan Music in the Marketing Era|url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057%2F9781137546975|pages=171–179|doi=10.1057/9781137546975|isbn=978-1-137-54939-6|access-date=31 May 2021|archive-date=3 June 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603214256/https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057%2F9781137546975|url-status=live}}</ref>
He ran for office as Lord Mayor of Kampala in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201906050404.html |title=All Africa.com |access-date=20 April 2020 |archive-date=24 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924172821/https://allafrica.com/stories/201906050404.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Awards== ===Won=== * 2004 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Artiste of the Year & Song of the Year ("Jamila")<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050204005728/http://pamawards.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage PAM Awards: 2004 Winners]</ref> * 2005 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group & Best Afro Beat Single ("Kipepeo")<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070702053829/http://pamawards.com/pages/2005.php PAM Awards: 2005 Winners & Nominees]</ref> * 2004 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Album (''Bei Kali'')<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041204012935/http://www.kilitimetz.com/winners.html Tanzania Music Awards: Winners 2004]</ref> * 2005 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Album (''Jamila'')<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060904080403/http://www.kilitimetz.com/2005/awards/winners Tanzania Music Awards: 2005 Winners]</ref> * 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group<ref>[https://archive.today/20121204190055/http://www.ugandaonline.net/2006 PAM Awards 2006 Winners]</ref> * 2006 Kisima Music Awards – Best Ugandan Song ("Mama Rhoda") & Best Ugandan Music Video ("Mama Rhoda")<ref>[http://www.kisimaawards.co.ke/kminner.asp?cat=winners Kisima Awards Winners 2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408174146/http://www.kisimaawards.co.ke/kminner.asp?cat=winners |date=8 April 2009 }}</ref> * 2007 Kisima Music Awards – Best Ugandan Song ("Sivyo Ndiviyo" with Professor Jay)<ref>[http://www.kisimaawards.co.ke/kminner.asp?cat=winners07 Kisima Awards Winners 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722132158/http://www.kisimaawards.co.ke/kminner.asp?cat=winners07 |date=22 July 2011 }}</ref> * 2014 [http://www.hipipo.com/hma/2014/news/553/Full-List-Of-Winners-Hipipo-Music-Awards-2014 HiPipo Music Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218163446/http://www.hipipo.com/hma/2014/news/553/Full-List-Of-Winners-Hipipo-Music-Awards-2014 |date=18 December 2014 }} – Song of the Year ("Badilisha") * 2013 African Entertainment Awards – International Best Male Artist<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.modernghana.com/music/22512/official-nominees-list-for-the-2013-african-entertainment-aw.html|title=Official Nominees List for the 2013 African Entertainment Awards|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073732/https://www.modernghana.com/music/22512/official-nominees-list-for-the-2013-african-entertainment-aw.html|url-status=live}}</ref> * 2014 HiPipo Music Awards<ref>[http://www.hipipo.com/hma/2014/news/553/Full-List-Of-Winners-Hipipo-Music-Awards-2014 HiPipo Music Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218163446/http://www.hipipo.com/hma/2014/news/553/Full-List-Of-Winners-Hipipo-Music-Awards-2014 |date=18 December 2014 }}</ref> – Best Male ZOUK Song ("Badilisha") * 2015 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) – Song Writer of the Year<ref>{{cite web |url=https://afrima.org/english/index.php/media2/news-update/171-2015-all-africa-music-awards-afrima-winners-list |title=All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) - 2015 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Winners List |website=afrima.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032507/https://afrima.org/english/index.php/media2/news-update/171-2015-all-africa-music-awards-afrima-winners-list |archive-date=2017-12-01}}</ref> *2018 Galaxy Zzina Music Awards – Legend Award<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.galaxyfm.co.ug/2019/03/23/full-list-of-zzina-award-winners-2018-2019/|title=Full List of Zzina Award Winners 2018/2019|date=23 March 2019|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=31 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131234008/http://www.galaxyfm.co.ug/2019/03/23/full-list-of-zzina-award-winners-2018-2019/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://bigeye.ug/zzina-awards-2018-heres-the-full-list-of-nominees/|title = Zzina Awards 2018: Here's the full list of nominees|date = March 2018|access-date = 20 April 2020|archive-date = 15 February 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200215125935/http://bigeye.ug/zzina-awards-2018-heres-the-full-list-of-nominees/|url-status = live}}</ref>
===Nominated=== * 2003 Kora Awards – Best East Africa Artist<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040302070738/http://www.koraawards.co.za/english/musicawards_finalists_res03.asp?Category_en=Best+Artist+-+East+Africa Kora Awards Nominees 2003]</ref> * 2004 Kora Awards – Best East African Male Artist<ref>[http://www.yeahbo.net/KoraAwardsWinners2004.xls Kora Awards Nominees 2004] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050106052917/http://www.yeahbo.net/KoraAwardsWinners2004.xls |date=6 January 2005 }}</ref> * 2006 MOBO Awards – Best African Act<ref>IPP Media: [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928063807/http://www.ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian/2006/09/01/73555.html ''Jose Chameleon nominated for UK Music Awards In 2006'']</ref> * 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards – Best African Act * 2012 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Song ("Valu Valu")<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bongo5.com/kili-awards-2012-nominees-hawa-hapa-02-2012/ |title=Kili awards 2012 Nominees 8 February 2012 |access-date=13 October 2012 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819154716/http://bongo5.com/kili-awards-2012-nominees-hawa-hapa-02-2012/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * 2014 World Music Awards (three categories) – World Best Male Artist, World Best Live Act & World Best Performer<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chimpreports.com/17208-chameleone-nominated-for-world-music-awards|title=Chameleone Nominated for World Music Awards|date=19 February 2014|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-date=20 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720200739/http://www.chimpreports.com/17208-chameleone-nominated-for-world-music-awards|url-status=live}}</ref> * 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards – MAMA Evolution Award<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://m.dstv.com/news/mama-evolution-award-nominees-20150630 |title=DSTV Mobile — DSTV | Movies | Sport | Series | Music | TV Guide | Entertainment |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-date=10 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010154319/http://m.dstv.com/news/mama-evolution-award-nominees-20150630 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Discography == ===Albums=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year !! Album !! Record label |- |- |2000||''Bageya''|| rowspan=5| 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'' | |- |2014||''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'' |}
== See also ==
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chameleone, Jose}} Category:21st-century Ugandan male singers Category:Kisima Music Award winners Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century Ugandan male singers Category:Afrobeats musicians