Chameleone
African Musician

Chameleone

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Intro
African Musician
A.K.A.
Joseph Mayanja
Gender:
Male
Places:
Uganda
Is:
Singer
Work field:
Music
Birth:
30 April 1979(Uganda)
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The details
Biography

Introduction

Jose Chameleone, born Joseph Mayanja on 30 April 1979 in Uganda, is an AfroBeat artiste and also a very versatile musician from Uganda. He is one of the most popular Ugandan musicians of the 21st century and enjoys strong popularity in many countries. Chameleone sings in Luganda, English and Swahili.

Musical career

Jose Chameleone's career began in 1996 as a DJ at the Missouri night club in Kampala .He was later signed to the Kenyan record label Ogopa DJs. where he enjoyed his break through with one of his first singles, "Bageya", which featured Kenyan artist Redsan.

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. By 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, Badilisha in 2013 and Tubonge in 2014.

He is president of Ugandan music label Leone Island. Leone Island has signed many musicians from Uganda and East Africa, including Moses Radio, Weasel, AK 47, King Saha, Papa Cidy, Pallaso and many more.

In March 2014 at the Lugogo Cricket Oval Stadium in Kampala, Chameleone broke the record for the largest audience of any East African performer, drawing an estimated 40,000 fans to his "Tubonge Live" concert. The speaker of the parliament of Uganda, Rebecca Kadaga, designated Chameleone to be the Ambassador of the Busoga Tourism Initiative.

Other activities

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, Belgium, Malaysia, China, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, Germany and Switzerland, among others. He is volunteering with the US. peace mission with returned former LRA rebels as he inspires them to start fresh and humble lives.

Family and personal life

Chameleone is married to Daniella Atim.The couple have four children: Abba Marcus Mayanja, who has released his first single "Game Over" under the name T-REX; Alfa Joseph Mayanja; Alba Shyne Mayanja; and Amma Mayanja.

His Siblings:Douglas Mayanja alias Weasel is an established Artiste under "Weasel and Radio" of the Goodlyfe Crew,

Pius Mayanja alias Pallaso under "Team Good Music",

And Emmanuel Mayanja alias AK47(RIP) "Bullet Proof Music"

Discography

Jose Chameleone Discography 2000 – 2014
Year Album Record label
2000 Bageya Ogopa Deejays
2001 Mama Mia
2002 Njo Karibu
2003 The Golden Voice
2004 Mambo Bado
2005 Kipepeo Leone Island Music Empire
2006 Shida za Dunia
2007 Sivyo Ndivyo
2007 Katupakase
2009 Bayuda Leone Island Productions
2010 Vumilia Leone Island Music Empire
2012 Valu Valu
2013 Badilisha
2014 Wale Wale

Awards

Won:

  • Beffta Awards UK – Best International Act
  • 2003 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artist, Best Contemporary Artist & Song of the Year ("Mama Mia")
  • 2004 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (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 – Best East African Album ("Bei Kali")
  • 2005 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Album ("Jamila")
  • 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group
  • 2006 Kisima Music Awards – Best Ugandan Song (Mama Rhoda) & Best Ugandan Music Video (Mama Rhoda)
  • 2007 Kisima Music Awards – Best Ugandan Song (Sivyo Ndiviyo with Professor Jay)
  • 2011 Ugandan Radio Dotcom Music Awards – Artiste of The Year
  • 2013 [Kilimanjaro Music Awards] – Best East African Song "Valu Valu"
  • 2014 [Kilimanjaro Music Awards] – Best East African Song "Tubonge"
  • 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Song of the Year "Badilisha"
  • 2014 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Male ZOUK Song "Badilisha"
  • 2015 AFRIMA Awards - Africa Song Writer of the year 2015

Nominated:

  • 2003 Kora Awards – Best East Africa Artist
  • 2004 Kora Awards – Best East African Male Artist
  • 2006 MOBO Awards – Best African Act
  • 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards – Best African Act Nominees
  • 2012 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Song (Valu Valu)
  • 2013 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Afrobeat Song (Moto Moto), Best Dancehall/Ragga Song with Dotstar (Give Me), Song of the Year (Valu Valu)
  • 2013 HiPipo Music Awards – Best Afrobeat Song (Moto Moto), Best Dancehall/Ragga Song with Dotstar (Give Me), Song of the Year (Valu Valu)
  • 2014 [World Music Awards] – Best Male Artiste
  • 2014 [World Music Awards] – Best Live Performer Act
  • 2015 [AFRIMA Awards] - Africa Song writer of the Year 2015