Chameleone pulled out the surprise during Pallaso’s birthday celebrations, which took place on September 5, 1987.
Chameleone, whose true name is Joseph Mayanja, was one of eight children—seven boys and one girl—who were born into the family. He left home at the age of 15 to pursue a musical career.
He is the son of Prossy Musoke and Gerald Mayanja and the fourth kid overall.
Jose Chameleone, who was born on April 30, 1979, first attended Mengo S.S. at Nakasero Primary School before getting kicked out in the second grade and switching to Kawempe Muslim S.S. to earn his O-Levels. When he was expelled from Katikamu SDA in the fifth grade, he transferred to Progressive S.S. where he completed sixth grade.
The musicianship of the Valu Valu hitmaker appears to have been inherited, as both his father and granddad played many instruments in Nsambya Boys Band while they were in school.
His older brother Humphrey was a musician who was involved with the Super World Band.
While still a student at Nakasero Primary School, Jose Chameleone started performing in plays. At Kawempe Muslim and Katikamu SDA, he also served as the entertainment prefect.
His first song, Bageya, was released in 1999 at Hills Studio in Nairobi. Despite being performed in Luganda, it gained popularity there, and Mama Mia soon after.
His debut album, which includes the song Mama Mia, was published in the year 2000.
He has served as the backup singer for Shanks Vivid Gumaras in the past.
Shanks got Chameleone to freestyle for Kenyan hip-hop trio Kalamashaka before their concert in Kampala. They became addicted after that.
Later, they extended an invitation for him to go to Kenya and join them in recording a song.
When it didn’t materialize, Chameleone was left without a way to get home and stranded in Kenya.
Bebe Cool was helped by him once he bonded with him.
After that, Chameleone and Redsan formed the Chameleone, Bebe, and Redsan East African Bashment squad after becoming friends.
They separated up due to financial difficulties.
Later, in the early 2000s, he released a recording of Mama Mia, which shot to fame in Kenya and Uganda.
When Mama Mia was released, he returned from his 1999 trip to Kenya.