Jose Chameleone
Country Uganda Genres band fusion pop urban Festival Sauti za Busara 2007 Born Joseph Mayanja, Chameleone is known for his stimulating live performances, and is revered as one of East Africa's most versatile, creative and crowd-pleasing artists. He is frequently in demand regionally and internationally. Chameleone has been nominated for Kora Awards, Golden Awards, MOBO Awards and has won two PAM (Pearl of Africa) Awards for Best Afro Beat Artist and Best Afro Beat Single for Kipepeo as well as winning Best Video, Uganda and Best Song, for Mama Rhoda, at the Kisima Music Awards in Kenya.
Chameleone's musical style is a combination of Ugandan folk music, central African rumba, zouk and ragga. His first album was released in Kenya in 1999. He has since released several albums including "Bageya" in 2000, "Mama Mia" in 2001, "Njo Karibu" in 2002, "The Golden Voice" in 2003, "Mambo Bado", in 2004 and "Kipepo" in 2005.
Chameleone's biggest hits include Jamila, Mama Rhoda, Shida za Dunia, Kipepeo, Bei Kali, Fitina Yako, Haraka Haraka, Mambo Bado, and Ndivyo Sivyo
He is a member of the Musician's Community, a coalition of musicians who use their fame and fortune to help eradicate poverty and create HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns.
During the past year, the raspy-voiced, wild haired Chameleone has been dogged by scandal and rumor. This has included beef with other Ugandan artists, the alleged arrest of his Belgian ex-wife and mother of his daughter, having East Africa Radio and East Africa Television refusing to play his music because of a publicized public brawl, losing contracts, facing a lawsuit and media reports that his reign as a top artist was over.
However, despite all the negative media speculation in East Africa, Chameleone has been continuing to perform and produce new music in the USA, UK, Canada, Sweden and Denmark during the past year and his international career looks firmly set to shine bright for many years to come.
With thanks to Air Tanzania
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