Growing up, there was always an acronym that highlighted ‘The Big 3’. Bebe Cool, Bobi Wine and Jose Chameleone (BBC) for they are the Big 3 icons that have ruled and reigned musically in Uganda for the past two decades and remain a significant part of history in Ugandan music. A lot has been said but today’s focus is on Jose Chameleone.
Born Joseph Mayanja on 30th April 1979, Jose Chameleone kick-started his music career in the late 1990s and has since become one of the most popular and influential artists not just in Uganda but across the region. This comes as no surprise for his father himself Gerald Mayanja was a renowned jazz artist.
Chameleone’s music is a unique blend of African rhythms with Western pop music, reggae, rumba, zouk, and pop music, as well as his soulful vocals and catchy melodies to form a style of music tagged as “Bax Ragga” earned him a loyal fan base right from the early 2000s and this has since grown and widespread.
The year was 2001 and Chameleone bagged his first hit song ‘Mama Mia’. This would later be followed by other popular ballads like ‘Dorotia’, ‘Jamila’, and ‘Kipepeo’.
One aspect that has been a constant in Jose Chameleone’s music aside his catchy melodies are the socially conscious lyrics, and powerful vocals. His discography highlights social topics like domestic violence, human behavior, women’s rights, hard work, and character, betrayal, success, etc etc.
Before he could relocate to Uganda, Chameleone had earlier laid a foundation for his music career in 1996 as a DJ at the Missouri nightclub. He would later get signed as an artist by Kenyan-based record label, Ogopa Deejays.
In 2003, ‘Bageya’, dropped. It was Jose Chameleone’s debut album and featured a titular track featuring Kenyan artist Redsan.. It did not only become a commercial success but also cemented his position as one of Uganda’s top musicians. He has since released several other successful albums, including ‘Mambo Bado’, ‘Shida Za Dunia’, ‘Kuma Obwesigwa’, among others.
Jose has earned numerous awards and nominations over the years for his contributions to the music industry, including the much coveted 2005 Pearl of Africa Music Award for Best Male Artist and the East African Music Award for Best Male Artist.
Aside music, Jose Chameleon is a philanthropist and advocate for social change. He is the founder of the Joseph Mayanja Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting education, health, social welfare and improving the lives of disadvantaged children in Uganda.
Chameleone is a family man, and has been married to Daniella Atim and have five children together.
Jose’s music reminds us that even in the face of adversity, we can find hope, strength, and a reason to keep fighting for a better world.
The legendary singer ventured into music entrepreneurship courtesy of his record label Leone Island. Through it, Jose Chameleone has discovered and natured promising talents in the music industry. The record label has been associated with some of the top Ugandan creatives including King Saha, Yung Mulo, Melody, Mowzey Radio & Weasel who would later break away as Goodlife Entertainment, the late AK 47, Pallaso, and Papa Cidy.
In his legacy is that Jose Chameleone was among the very first artists to receive brand endorsements. He has worked with brands iDroid, Nile Special, Star Times, Hema Beverages, Pepsi, Ambiance Waragi etc.
Jose has been engaged in politics. He ran for the office of Lord Mayor in 2021. His shows and concerts have been endorsed by various influential political figures like the First Lady and the former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga.
The Legendary singer last year held yet another successful concert at the Lugogo Cricket Oval known as the ‘Gwanga Mujje’ concert at the Lugogo Cricket Oval and it was massively attended.
Chameleone continues to travel the world, performing and recording music. Among his tracks that are still on rotation is the remix of ‘Banana’ a track by Fik Gaza, ‘Kuma Obwesigwa’ and his classic with DJ Slick Stuart and DJ Roja ‘Kigwa Leero’.
