Shakira fell for my jacket â€" Chameleone
UGANDAN music star Jose Chameleone was one of the African artistes who performed at the World Cup 2010 finals. He interacted with Colombian-born singer Shakira Mebarak and Africa’s best artistes.
UGANDAN music star Jose Chameleone was one of the African artistes who performed at the World Cup 2010 finals. He interacted with Colombian-born singer Shakira Mebarak and Africa’s best artistes. Pidson Kareire talked to him about the experience:
How do you feel about performing at the World Cup 2010 finals?
I have never performed for such a big crowd; 2.5 billion viewers and a 95,000 live audience! It is a very big achievement and it feels so good. Nobody in Uganda has experienced it; I am the first person/artiste. I am so happy and have achieved one of my topmost wishes. Musicians never retire, otherwise I would have retired.
What did you learn from the experience?
Nothing is impossible as long as one is determined and focused. If we can diligently follow what other successful people have done, we shall get there. I was under pressure when people started debating on whether I could perform at the World Cup 2010 finals or not, but I later found out otherwise.
The camera did not show you when your turn to sing your verse in the song came. Instead, you appeared when other people were singing their turn. How did you feel about that?
You see, South Africa freedom fighter Nelson Mandela asked for equal opportunities for the best of Africa’s best and because we were many, they cut the number to nine artistes. Unfortunately, each had only three minutes on stage, so they had to reduce the number to six. The six artistes you watched had to share three minutes on stage. I think you can see how tricky it was.
Did you get stage fever?
Yes. I was worried that the cameras would not show me, but Stella Antos, the organiser, assured me that there were 78 cameras and, therefore, there was no reason to worry.
Have you ever tested for HIV/AIDS?
That feeling you get when you are waiting for your results, is what we all went through — we were nervous. But the nervousness was reduced by the tense rehearsals we had. We rehearsed for everything including the dressing.
Where do you think you missed out?
It is all about integrity. If I had not performed, I would have lost it. But since I performed, people who spoke badly about me should be ashamed. But it is alright, people like that only encourage me to work harder.
Shakira or you, who approached the other?
You may not believe, but it was Shakira. She is down to earth and simple. She liked my jacket, which had a Ugandan flag.
She initiated the conversation and she asked: “Are you from Uganda? I like Uganda.†I said ‘yes’, and told her about Uganda and that it was once ruled by dictator Idi Amin. But she had fallen for my jacket and Daniella, my wife. Later I complimented her and she became so excited, hugged my wife and they took a photo together.
What did you learn from her?
If you are big, you should have a big heart and high self-esteem. That is what Shakira is.
How about the artistes with whom you sang the World Cup song?
I am big in this region, but each of those artistes is also big in their region. These were Africa’s best. I learnt that unity is the best thing. As we interacted and exchanged views, I realised unity was so instrumental in our performances.
Were you satisfied with your performance?
Yes, that was World Cup. I was there to entertain the world. If I may ask, when will the World Cup come back to Africa? The highlights and comments I got after my performance showed that I did well.
How did you get the deal to perform at the World Cup?
Some things are determined by destiny. You can never know, but I know that I have the potential to do anything artistic. Stella Antos, the late Lucky Dube’s tour manager, developed the concept. She emailed me the proposal, but I did not read it, so she called me up. I did not know anything about the arrangement, but she later briefed me about the concept and what she had done about it.
What is your next move after the World Cup?
Antos wants me to be signed to the Gello Records, a South African music label company.
Do you have anything new for your friends or enemies?
For friends I am happy to have them, but to my foes, I have dedicated to them my number one title, I have moved to legacy.
How do you feel about performing at the World Cup 2010 finals?
I have never performed for such a big crowd; 2.5 billion viewers and a 95,000 live audience! It is a very big achievement and it feels so good. Nobody in Uganda has experienced it; I am the first person/artiste. I am so happy and have achieved one of my topmost wishes. Musicians never retire, otherwise I would have retired.
What did you learn from the experience?
Nothing is impossible as long as one is determined and focused. If we can diligently follow what other successful people have done, we shall get there. I was under pressure when people started debating on whether I could perform at the World Cup 2010 finals or not, but I later found out otherwise.
The camera did not show you when your turn to sing your verse in the song came. Instead, you appeared when other people were singing their turn. How did you feel about that?
You see, South Africa freedom fighter Nelson Mandela asked for equal opportunities for the best of Africa’s best and because we were many, they cut the number to nine artistes. Unfortunately, each had only three minutes on stage, so they had to reduce the number to six. The six artistes you watched had to share three minutes on stage. I think you can see how tricky it was.
Did you get stage fever?
Yes. I was worried that the cameras would not show me, but Stella Antos, the organiser, assured me that there were 78 cameras and, therefore, there was no reason to worry.
Have you ever tested for HIV/AIDS?
That feeling you get when you are waiting for your results, is what we all went through — we were nervous. But the nervousness was reduced by the tense rehearsals we had. We rehearsed for everything including the dressing.
Where do you think you missed out?
It is all about integrity. If I had not performed, I would have lost it. But since I performed, people who spoke badly about me should be ashamed. But it is alright, people like that only encourage me to work harder.
Shakira or you, who approached the other?
You may not believe, but it was Shakira. She is down to earth and simple. She liked my jacket, which had a Ugandan flag.
She initiated the conversation and she asked: “Are you from Uganda? I like Uganda.†I said ‘yes’, and told her about Uganda and that it was once ruled by dictator Idi Amin. But she had fallen for my jacket and Daniella, my wife. Later I complimented her and she became so excited, hugged my wife and they took a photo together.
What did you learn from her?
If you are big, you should have a big heart and high self-esteem. That is what Shakira is.
How about the artistes with whom you sang the World Cup song?
I am big in this region, but each of those artistes is also big in their region. These were Africa’s best. I learnt that unity is the best thing. As we interacted and exchanged views, I realised unity was so instrumental in our performances.
Were you satisfied with your performance?
Yes, that was World Cup. I was there to entertain the world. If I may ask, when will the World Cup come back to Africa? The highlights and comments I got after my performance showed that I did well.
How did you get the deal to perform at the World Cup?
Some things are determined by destiny. You can never know, but I know that I have the potential to do anything artistic. Stella Antos, the late Lucky Dube’s tour manager, developed the concept. She emailed me the proposal, but I did not read it, so she called me up. I did not know anything about the arrangement, but she later briefed me about the concept and what she had done about it.
What is your next move after the World Cup?
Antos wants me to be signed to the Gello Records, a South African music label company.
Do you have anything new for your friends or enemies?
For friends I am happy to have them, but to my foes, I have dedicated to them my number one title, I have moved to legacy.