My voice is my capital

By Moni Basu

Jose Chameleone born Joseph Mayanja talked to Agnes E. Nantaba about his music career

Who is Jose Chameleone?

Jose Chameleone was born Joseph Mayanja on 30 April 1979. I am a father, business man, an Afro-beat and reggae musician, hard working man and a God believer who puts God above everything

Any three things we don’t know about you?

I am a great artist for sculptures and paintings. Before I made a breakthrough in music, my father had recommended me to engage in art. I am a good father who always finds time for my children. I only record my music at night because it’s when I find it comfortable.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

When I achieve

What is your greatest fear?

Blackmail; it has and is still costing me a lot. I would also say death but everyone will die one day.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My impatience; I tend to give up easily and yet giving up may not be a solution.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I don’t tolerate hypocrites.

Which living person do you most admire?

They are all dead; I used to admire Michael Jackson for his charisma and Nelson Mandela for his endurance because he lived for the people rather than himself. As per now I admire my sons Abba and Alpha since they have a lot of time to correct their mistakes.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I can spend anything on my wife anytime.

What is your current state of mind?

I am at peace.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Status; people can’t believe that even people with status in society can lack.

On what occasion do you lie?

When am late at home without a genuine reason, I lie to my master-my wife.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

My size; I would love to have slightly more flesh.

Which living person do you most despise?

None because I am so forgiving and forget easily

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Self-esteem; no matter how good looking you are or what you have, self esteem counts.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Self-esteem still counts.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Honestly; even people who mimic me use that.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My family; wife and children

When and where were you happiest?

When I wed my wife Daniella Atim Mayanja on June 7, 2008

Which talent would you most like to have?

Being a footballer; I have tried that before, failed and gave up.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would have enjoyed my achievements more and freely if I wasn’t a public figure; but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate being a public figure.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I have got many friends out of my line of work and God gave me a good family.

What key trends have you observed in the music industry?

It has grown and it’s finally taking the right shape. Ugandans didn’t know that if they support their artists to the best, we can make it. Ugandans have been supporting music internally but have now grown positively to crossing borders. There is less hatred and beef between musicians which means everyone has discovered his or her niche.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

As one of the stars in the sky

Where would you most like to live?

In the Islands near the blue water.

What is your most treasured possession?

My voice because it is my capital; it expresses me a lot and once I lose it, I will be gone.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Losing a brother because it hurts you and the people around you

What is your favorite occupation?

Being a pilot; it takes a big mind.

What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty and being helpful regardless of the magnitude of the issue

Who are your favorite writers?

Robert Green the writer of ‘48 laws of power’, ‘Heart of seduction’, ’The 50th Law’. He describes life in a way people don’t want to know about and that you can’t tell a story that is already told.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Jackie Chan; his fiction is entertaining.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Nelson Mandela for his endurance; I have also endured a lot to see that Ugandan music gets to where it is.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My mother; she is still a good mother who has given all her life to her children.

What are your favorite names?

Abba, Christian and Alpha which mean father most high, believer in Christ and the beginning respectively

What is your greatest regret?

Honestly, I regret not pursuing more with my late brother AK47. I think I should have pushed on as a big brother to guide him.

How would you like to die?

Peacefully but I would love my people to witness the transition to another life.

What is your motto?

Nothing is impossible.

Jose Chameleone born Joseph Mayanja talked to Agnes E. Nantaba about his music career

Who is Jose Chameleone?

Jose Chameleone was born Joseph Mayanja on 30 April 1979. I am a father, business man, an Afro-beat and reggae musician, hard working man and a God believer who puts God above everything

Any three things we don’t know about you?

I am a great artist for sculptures and paintings. Before I made a breakthrough in music, my father had recommended me to engage in art. I am a good father who always finds time for my children. I only record my music at night because it’s when I find it comfortable.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

When I achieve

What is your greatest fear?

Blackmail; it has and is still costing me a lot. I would also say death but everyone will die one day.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My impatience; I tend to give up easily and yet giving up may not be a solution.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I don’t tolerate hypocrites.

Which living person do you most admire?

They are all dead; I used to admire Michael Jackson for his charisma and Nelson Mandela for his endurance because he lived for the people rather than himself. As per now I admire my sons Abba and Alpha since they have a lot of time to correct their mistakes.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I can spend anything on my wife anytime.

What is your current state of mind?

I am at peace.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Status; people can’t believe that even people with status in society can lack.

On what occasion do you lie?

When am late at home without a genuine reason, I lie to my master-my wife.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

My size; I would love to have slightly more flesh.

Which living person do you most despise?

None because I am so forgiving and forget easily

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Self-esteem; no matter how good looking you are or what you have, self esteem counts.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Self-esteem still counts.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Honestly; even people who mimic me use that.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My family; wife and children

When and where were you happiest?

When I wed my wife Daniella Atim Mayanja on June 7, 2008

Which talent would you most like to have?

Being a footballer; I have tried that before, failed and gave up.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would have enjoyed my achievements more and freely if I wasn’t a public figure; but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate being a public figure.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I have got many friends out of my line of work and God gave me a good family.

What key trends have you observed in the music industry?

It has grown and it’s finally taking the right shape. Ugandans didn’t know that if they support their artists to the best, we can make it. Ugandans have been supporting music internally but have now grown positively to crossing borders. There is less hatred and beef between musicians which means everyone has discovered his or her niche.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

As one of the stars in the sky

Where would you most like to live?

In the Islands near the blue water.

What is your most treasured possession?

My voice because it is my capital; it expresses me a lot and once I lose it, I will be gone.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Losing a brother because it hurts you and the people around you

What is your favorite occupation?

Being a pilot; it takes a big mind.

What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty and being helpful regardless of the magnitude of the issue

Who are your favorite writers?

Robert Green the writer of ‘48 laws of power’, ‘Heart of seduction’, ’The 50th Law’. He describes life in a way people don’t want to know about and that you can’t tell a story that is already told.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Jackie Chan; his fiction is entertaining.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Nelson Mandela for his endurance; I have also endured a lot to see that Ugandan music gets to where it is.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My mother; she is still a good mother who has given all her life to her children.

What are your favorite names?

Abba, Christian and Alpha which mean father most high, believer in Christ and the beginning respectively

What is your greatest regret?

Honestly, I regret not pursuing more with my late brother AK47. I think I should have pushed on as a big brother to guide him.

How would you like to die?

Peacefully but I would love my people to witness the transition to another life.

What is your motto?

Nothing is impossible.