Its Chameleone!!

Many visitors of UGPulse.com write in and ask how come we never feature Chameleone on the site. Although we have written about Chameleone and his successes in the past, and although he has been rather accessible in terms of communication, they are right. We have in some weird way always found it hard to hand-cuff this guy to a wall in order to do an interview with him. At the same time, as the Technical Lead, Chief Editor, Designer and Director of UGPulse.com and a few more sites, I don't write as much and for the most part I usually have to assign interviews to writers who are hard to get when you need them.

UGPulse Promo

We were to interview Chameleone a few months back but as we prepared the interview, Chameleone was involved in a scary accident that disrupted our plans. Rather than pester him to continue with the interview, which we are pretty sure he would have continued with from his hospital bed, we figured we would leave the star alone... to give him time to heal... only to see him in yet another video... in his wheel chair!

Chameleone at home in Uganda.

There are very few Ugandans that match the level of success Jose Mayanja aka Chameleone has had. Not only is he sought by Ugandans at home and abroad... Kenyans and Tanzanians at home AND abroad equally look out for his concerts.

AY & Chameleone - Nasema Nao

There is no explanation for his level of success than sheer hard work and his ability to remain humble and accessible to the people that buy his music and the people that promote his work. He once surprised us at UGPulse when he called us out of the blue in Washington, DC while on tour in the USA.

"This is Jose..." he had said. "Jose Mayanja." This being an unexpected call in the midst of a busy regular day in the US capital, we still did not get it until he said, "Its Chameleone!"

Chameleone... First things first... What happened on that dreadful night in Tanzania?
I arrived in Arusha at around 7pm, scheduled to perform at an Embassy (a cigarette company) party. I was received by the show organizers' representative (Fauzia Abdul) at the airport from where she rushed us for check in at Impala Hotel. I was given a room 310 in which I just took a quick shower and immediately left for the performance at around 9 pm. After a good presentation, I was scheduled to perform in Tanga, another Tanzanian town, for an annual event dubbed "Fiesta". I had to sleep early so that I rise early. I asked a friend I had only met that night to lift me to the hotel which he kindly agreed. At around 2am I got into my room, I slept, only to wake up surrounded by strangers mumbling as I lay on the ground in a lot of pain. This was at around 4 am in the morning. Frankly, at that point I was in too much pain. I heard one of the guys recognizing me. So they rushed to the reception to locate Fauzia who had checked us in. They found her and when she witnessed my situation, she organized for me to be taken to the hospital. I was rushed to AICC HOSPITAL where I was attended to until 2 pm when my charter came to fly me home. I was received and hospitalized at Nsambya Hospital.

How has your wife Daniella been like through all of this?
Extremely supportive. Honestly this whole situation has bonded us inseparably. I love her so much I would never make it thru such a challenge without her.

Often in music one works hard to achieve a breakthrough in their career... going that extra mile before the public notices. One thing about you is that you work harder than any new comer in the game... Is that a right assessment? What keeps you working so hard? Are you still trying to breakthrough? If so, what will define a breakthrough for you so that... perhaps you could take a break for some time?
How many times do I have to break thru? I am thru! Only that I have never been contented with my Legacy because Haters keep trying to assassinate it. That's what keeps me going.

As a show of this constant hard work... a couple of months after your accident, you are now making videos in a wheelchair. I'm talking about the Ba Yuda video... Chameleone... c'mon man... What is your doctor saying about this?
My doctor should understand who he's dealing with. A WORKAHOLIC! That's what I asked him to do. He still feels bad about me breaking the rules but am glad he understands.

Ba Yuda - Jose Chameleone

When will you be fully recovered and out of the wheel chair? My doctor claims early Jan I will be on clutches.

Now some interesting things happened out of this accident... Tell us about the hospital visit by your rival Bobi Wine.
He came to visit a comrade! I would do the same.

So you and Bobi... You cool now?... Is the rivalry over?... or perhaps now that you are recovering we should expect the drama to resume?
Me and Bobi are cool for Now and the rest upon the future.

Any visit from other unexpected rivals or unexpected people in general?
The Cardinal His Eminence Wamala.

How about Bebe Cool... How has he been with you through all of this?
I have never seen him but I understand he's busy sorting himself out probably.

Chameleone with brother Weasel.

I read somewhere that your brother Weasel made some unexpected remarks that almost drove you to tears... Something about the accident being a publicity stunt? Can you elaborate? When did this beef with your brother begin? Do you see a time when you guys will be brothers again?
I would be very naïve to beef with Him. Would be like a parent angry about their child's achievement after paying their school dues for years. To him I am a Brother, Mentor, teacher etc.

Chameleone at home in Uganda.

Do you have any idea when you will be on tour again?
Next year (2009) am touring USA, Australia and Japan. I was in Europe this year.

Chameleone ft Bushoka Mama Rhoda