Joseph Mayanja (born 30 April 1979), better known by the stage name Jose Chameleone, is a Ugandan

AfroBeat Afrobeat (also known as Afrofunk) is a West African music genre, fusing influences from Nigerian (such as Yoruba) and Ghanaian (such as highlife) music, with American funk, jazz, and soul influences. With a focus on chanted vocals, complex i ...

artist and

musician A musician is someone who Composer, composes, Conducting, conducts, or Performing arts#Performers, performs music. According to the United States Employment Service, "musician" is a general Terminology, term used to designate a person who fol ...

. He sings in

Luganda Ganda or Luganda ( ; ) is a Bantu language spoken in the African Great Lakes region. It is one of the major languages in Uganda and is spoken by more than 5.56 million Ganda people, Baganda and other people principally in central Uganda, includ ...

, English, and

Swahili Swahili may refer to: * Swahili language, a Bantu language officially used in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda and widely spoken in the African Great Lakes. * Swahili people, an ethnic group in East Africa. * Swahili culture, the culture of the Swahili p ...

Early life and education

Joseph Mayanja was born on 30 April 1979 to Gerald and Prossy Mayanja in

Kampala Kampala (, ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Uganda. The city proper has a population of 1,875,834 (2024) and is divided into the five political divisions of Kampala Central Division, Kampala, Kawempe Division, Kawempe, Makindy ...

district, as the fourth of eight children. He went to

Nakasero Nakasero is a hill and neighborhood in the centre of Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda. Nakasero is important to Uganda's economy and politics, as it is home to Kampala's central business district and several government offices, ...

Primary School, Mengo Senior Secondary School,

Kawempe Kawempe is an area in the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital. It is also the location of the headquarters of Kawempe Division, one of the five administrative divisions of Kampala. Location Kawempe is located on the northwestern edge of Kampala. ...

Muslim Senior Secondary School, Katikamu Seventh Day Adventist Senior Secondary School, and Progressive Senior Secondary School. He composed the Kawempe Muslim Secondary School anthem.

Musical career

Chameleone's music style is a mixture of Ugandan folk, central African rhumba,

zouk Zouk is a musical movement and dance pioneered by the French Antillean band Kassav' in the early 1980s. It was originally characterized by a fast tempo (120–145 bpm), a percussion-driven rhythm, and a loud horn section. Musicians from Mart ...

, and

reggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica during the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its Jamaican diaspora, diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, "Do the Reggay", was the first ...

. His career began in 1996 as a DJ at the Missouri night club in

. He became active as a musician in 1998 in Kenya with the

Ogopa Deejays Ogopa Deejays are a Kenyan music production team and record label formed in the late 1990s who gained regional fame and popularity due to standards of their production work. Background Ogopa DJs is led by brothers Francis and Lucas Bikedo, a ...

, then a Kenyan record label, which released his first single, "Bageya", featuring Kenyan artist Redsan. 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''. 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 The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo), is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is t ...

Rwanda Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by ...

Burundi Burundi, officially the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is located in the Great Rift Valley at the junction between the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa, with a population of over 14 million peop ...

Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. ...

Uganda Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the ...

, and

Tanzania Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Uganda to the northwest; Kenya to the northeast; the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to t ...

). He performed to the largest audience at the

Lugogo Cricket Oval Lugogo Stadium, also known as Lugogo Cricket Oval, is a cricket ground in Kampala, Uganda. The first recorded match held on the ground came in 1957 when Kenya Asians played Sunder Cricket Club. It has also gained popularity as a music concert ven ...

Stadium in Kampala. Chameleone has performed internationally, including in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At , Sweden is the largest Nordic count ...

Belgium Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...

Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

the Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo), is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is t ...

Zambia Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern and East Africa. It is typically referred to being in South-Central Africa or Southern Africa. It is bor ...

Malawi Malawi, officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast, and Mozambique to the east, south, and southwest. Malawi spans over and ...

South Sudan South Sudan (), officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered on the north by Sudan; on the east by Ethiopia; on the south by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Kenya; and on the ...

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

, and

Switzerland Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...

. He toured Australia in 2017 and in March 2023. Jose Chameleon

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. 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 Janet Kainembabazi Museveni (; born 24 June 1948) is a Ugandan politician and the First Lady of Uganda since 1986. She is married to Yoweri Museveni (incumbent president of Uganda) She has been Cabinet Minister of Education and Sports sinc ...

, and attendees were required to pay one million

Ugandan Shilling The shilling (; abbreviation: USh; ISO code: UGX) is the currency of Uganda. Officially divided into cents until 2013, due to substantial inflation the shilling now has no subdivision. Notation Prices in the Ugandan shilling are written i ...

s to attend.

Music label

Chameleone is the

CEO A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a chief executive or managing director, is the top-ranking corporate officer charged with the management of an organization, usually a company or a nonprofit organization. CEOs find roles in variou ...

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 Pius Mayanja known by his stage name Pallaso is a Ugandan Sound recording and reproduction, recording Musician, artist, songwriter, producer and videography, videographer. His music genre specialty is Afrobeats, Hip hop, Dancehall, African popul ...

, Melody Uganda, Yung Mulo and Big Eye.

Other activities

The former speaker of the parliament of Uganda,

Rebecca Kadaga Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga (born 24 May 1956) is a Ugandan lawyer and politician who served as the List of speakers of the Parliament of Uganda, Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda from 19 May 2011 until 21 May 2021. She currently serves as the De ...

, 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. 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 The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...

. He ran for office as Lord Mayor of

in 2021.

Awards

Won

* 2004

Pearl of Africa Music Awards The Pearl of Africa Music Awards (also known as the PAM Awards) was an annual national music award event held in Uganda. The inaugural event was held in 2003. In 2006, categories for musicians from other East Africa East Africa, also known ...

(PAM Awards) – Artiste of the Year & Song of the Year ("Jamila") * 2005 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group & Best Afro Beat Single ("Kipepeo") * 2004

Tanzania Music Awards Tanzania Music Awards are national music awards held annually in Tanzania. They are also known as the Kilimanjaro Music Awards or the Kili Music Awards after their sponsor (Kilimanjaro Premium Lager). The awards were established in 1999 by the ...

– Best East African Album (''Bei Kali'') * 2005

– Best East African Album (''Jamila'') * 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group *

2006 Kisima Music Awards The 2006 Kisima Music Awards were held in Nairobi, Kenya. They were the first of the awards to be broadcast across Africa on television, after the organisers partnered with South African satellite station Channel O, and was also the first to featur ...

– Best Ugandan Song ("Mama Rhoda") & Best Ugandan Music Video ("Mama Rhoda") *

2007 Kisima Music Awards The 2007 Kisima Music Awards took place at ''Marula Manor'', Nairobi, Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 2 ...

– Best Ugandan Song ("Sivyo Ndiviyo" with

Professor Jay Joseph Haule (born December 29, 1975), popularly known by his stage name Professor Jay, is a Tanzanian hip hop recording artist, politician and former member of the Tanzanian parliament for Mikumi constituency. He is one of the prominent represent ...

) * 201
HiPipo Music Awards
– Song of the Year ("Badilisha") * 2013 African Entertainment Awards – International Best Male Artist * 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male ZOUK Song ("Badilisha") * 2015

All Africa Music Awards All Africa Music Awards (also referred to as AFRIMA) is an annual awards event to reward and celebrate musical works, talents and creativity around the African continent while promoting the African cultural heritage. Its pioneer Awards show was ...

(AFRIMA) – Song Writer of the Year *2018 Galaxy Zzina Music Awards – Legend Award

Nominated

* 2003

Kora Awards The KORA All Africa Music Awards are music awards given annually for musical achievement in sub-Saharan Africa. The awards were founded in 1994 by Benin born businessman, Ernest Adjovi, after a discussion in Namibia with the country's President H ...

– Best East Africa Artist * 2004

– Best East African Male Artist * 2006

MOBO Awards The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin, also known as the MOBOs) are an annual British music award presentation honouring achievements in " music of black origin", including hip hop, grime, UK Drill, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and Ba ...

– Best African Act * 2007

MTV Europe Music Awards The MTV Europe Music Awards (originally named MTV European Music Awards, commonly abbreviated as MTV EMA) are awards presented by Paramount International Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture. It was originally conceived as an al ...

– Best African Act *

2012 Tanzania Music Awards The 13th edition of the Tanzania Music Awards took place at the Mlimani City Conference Center in Dar es Salaam, on Saturday 14 April 2012. The event was anchored by Vanessa Mdee and Millard Ayo. The nominees were announced on 8 February 2012 wit ...

– Best East African Song ("Valu Valu") * 2014

World Music Awards The World Music Awards was an international award show founded in 1989 under the patronage of Albert II, Prince of Monaco and co-founder/executive producer John Martinotti. The event was based in Monte Carlo. Awards were presented to the worl ...

(three categories) – World Best Male Artist, World Best Live Act & World Best Performer * 2015

MTV Africa Music Awards The MTV Africa Music Awards (also known as the MAMAs) were established in 2008 by MTV Networks Africa (now Viacom International Media Networks Africa) to celebrate the most popular contemporary music in Africa. The 2008 and 2010 events took plac ...

– MAMA Evolution Award

Discography

Albums

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chameleone, Jose 21st-century Ugandan male singers Kisima Music Award winners 1979 births Living people 20th-century Ugandan male singers Afrobeats musicians Ugandan musicians