Singer Jose Chameleone turns 37 years today

By Waiswa Brian

Uganda’s singer number one artiste Joseph Mayanja aka Jose Chameleone celebrates his birthday today April 30th. The Leone Island boss was born to Mr. Gerald Mayanja and his wife, Proscovia Musoke on April 30^th, 1979 and therefore turns 37 today. Chameleone will celebrate his birthday in Rwanda tonight where he has a huge fan base. He will perform at a concert dubbed ‘Jose Chameleone Birthday Bash’ which will be held at Class Club in Kigali.

Jose Chameleone, who started making music in the 90s, has established himself as one of the finest Ugandan musicians and because of his popularity allover east Africa, many fans call him Uganda’s number one singer, while others even refer to him as East Africa’s Greatest Musician of All Time.

MUSIC CAREER

He 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, A lot of collaborations with his singing brothers, Pallaso, Weasel and AK47 (RIP) as well as other talented Ugandan artistes like Papa Cidy, Leila Kayondo, Atlas, Bruce Melody, Irene Ntale, Mun G and many others. The ‘Wale Wale’ hit maker also worked with a couple of top international musicians like Tanzania’s Professor Jay and AY, Dancehall stars Beenie Man and Konshens from Jamaica, Nigeria’s Patoranking, Davido and Ketchup, with whom he recently did a song titled, “Pam Pam – Remix”.

Family man

Jose Chameleone is married to Daniella Atim Mayanja. The couple exchanged vows on the Saturday of June 7, 2008  and blessed with four children: Abba Marcus Mayanja, who  released his first single “Game Over” in 2014 under the name T-REX, Alfa Joseph Mayanja; Alba Shyne Mayanja; and Amma Mayanja.