Ugandan music legend Jose Chameleone recently reflected on his early music career, offering intriguing insights into his time in the Kenyan music scene and his friendship with fellow Ugandan artist Bebe Cool. In a recent interview, Chameleone shared how he became fluent in Swahili, surpassing Bebe Cool, despite Bebe Cool having lived in Kenya longer. Chameleone credited his mastery of the language to dedication, exposure, and some unexpected opportunities that helped him along the way.

Heading to Nairobi

Jose Chameleone and Bebe Cool's friendship dates back to their early days as budding musicians. Bebe Cool ventured into the music industry before Chameleone, being the first to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, in search of better opportunities. Chameleone recalls that their move was driven by the lack of adequate music studios in Uganda.

“At the time, the few studios we had in Uganda could be fully booked for a year by established artists like Paul Kafeero,” Chameleone explained.

He recounted how he and Bebe Cool used to perform together at Sabrina’s Pub, where he first heard Bebe Cool talk about moving to Nairobi. When Chameleone asked why, Bebe Cool mentioned the shortage of music studios in Uganda. A few weeks later, Chameleone saw a newspaper article declaring Bebe Cool as a rising star in Nairobi.

Inspired, Chameleone made the decision to follow Bebe Cool to Nairobi, despite not having any contacts or a mobile phone. Upon arriving, he relied on word of mouth to locate his friend. By chance, they reconnected, and Bebe Cool warmly introduced Chameleone to the Kenyan music scene, sharing contacts and introducing him to influential figures.

Through Bebe Cool, Chameleone was introduced to the renowned Ogopa Deejays, a production team that was dominating the Kenyan music industry at the time. Seizing the opportunity, Chameleone joined their album project, leading to the recording of his breakthrough hit, "Mama Mia." This song marked the start of Chameleone’s meteoric rise to fame.

However, their friendship soured upon returning to Uganda. Chameleone explained that Bebe Cool felt slighted, believing Chameleone wasn’t showing him enough respect as the one who had introduced him to the Kenyan music scene.

"He felt I wasn’t giving him enough respect for helping me get started," Chameleone said.

This tension led to a famous feud, with Bebe Cool teaming up with Bobi Wine to release diss tracks like "Funtula" aimed at Chameleone. In response, Chameleone dropped "Nekolela Mali," but by then, his career had already taken off, thanks to his talent and mastery of multiple languages, which contributed to his prominence beyond Uganda.