He is the fourth-born child of Gerald Mayanja and Prossy Musoke.
Born in a family of eight children, seven boys and one girl, Jose Chameleone, real name Joseph Mayanja, left his home at the age of 15 to pursue professional music.
Jose Chameleone
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Jose Chameleone was born on 30 April 1979.
He attended Nakasero Primary School and Mengo Secondary School, where he was expelled in S.2.
He then joined Kawempe Muslim Secondary School to complete his O-Level and later attended Katikamu SDA, from which he was expelled in S.5.
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He completed his S.6. at Progressive Secondary School.
The Valu Valu hitmaker seems to have inherited his artistic talent; his grandfather was a guitarist, and his father was a member of the Nsambya Boys Band during his school days, playing multiple instruments.
His eldest brother, Humphrey, owned a band called Super World Band.
Jose Chameleone started participating in drama during his time at Nakasero Primary School and continued his involvement in the arts at both Kawempe Muslim and Katikamu SDA, where he served as the entertainment prefect and frequently performed.
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His first song, Bageya, was released in 1999 at Hills Studio in Nairobi.
Despite being sung in Luganda, it became a hit in Kenya. Following this, Mama Mia was released, which became part of his first album in 2000.
Jose Chameleone
Pulse Live Uganda
At one point, Chameleone was a backup singer for Shanks Vivid Gumaras. During a visit by the Kenyan hip-hop group Kalamashaka to Kampala, Chameleone freestyled for them and impressed the group.
They invited him to Kenya to record a song, but the collaboration did not materialise, leaving Chameleone stranded in Kenya.
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He received help from Bebe Cool and later formed the East African Bashment Crew with Redsan and Bebe Cool. However, the group disbanded due to financial issues.
In the early 2000s, Chameleone recorded Mama Mia, which became a hit in Kenya and subsequently in Uganda. He returned to Uganda after its release.
By 2018, Jose Chameleone had released a total of 17 albums, including Kipepeo, Shida za Dunia, Valu Valu, Bayuda, Badilisha, Sweet Banana, and Champion.
Some of his notable songs include Bageya (2000), Mama Mia (2001), Njo Karibu and The Golden Voice (2003), Mambo Bado (2004), Kipepeo (2005), Shida za Dunia (2006), Sivyo Ndivyo and Katupakase (2007), Bayuda (2009), Vumilia (2010), Valu Valu (2012), Badilisha (2013), Tubonge (2013), Wale Wale (2014), Sili Mujjawo (2016), Sweet Banana (2017), and Champion (2018).
Jose Chameleone
Pulse Live Uganda
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Chameleone has performed internationally in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium, Malaysia, China, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, Germany, and Switzerland.
He is the CEO of the music label Leone Island, which has been associated with artists such as the late Mosey Radio, Weasel, the late AK 47 Mayanja, King Saha, Papa Cidy, Pallaso, Melody Uganda, Yung Mulo, and Big Eye.
In 2008, Jose Chameleone married Daniella Atim, with whom he has five children who study and live in the United States: Abba Marcus Mayanja, Amma Christian Mayanja, Alba Shyne Mayanja, Ayla Onsea Mayanja, and Alfa Joseph Mayanja.
Recently, Atim revealed she was no longer in a relationship with Jose Chameleone.
Jose Chameleone has received recognition from the Pearl of Africa Music Awards, Tanzania Music Awards, Kisima Music Awards, and All Africa Music Awards.
