Chameleone nearly traded away the song that made him a star

What the report says

Ugandan music star Dr Jose Chameleone has shared an anecdote from his early career in Kenya, saying he once considered swapping his song “Mama Mia” for Bebe Cool’s “King of the Jungle.” According to Sqoop Uganda, the story came up during a conversation with his younger brother, Pallaso, and centered on a meeting in Nairobi when both artists were still trying to build their names in the regional music scene.

Chameleone said he ran into Bebe Cool outside Ogopa Deejays studio after Bebe Cool praised “Mama Mia.” At the time, Chameleone said he did not fully appreciate the song’s potential and floated the idea of trading it for Bebe Cool’s record. The proposal did not go ahead, leaving each artist with his own song.

The article says the moment is notable because “Mama Mia” later became one of Chameleone’s signature hits, while “King of the Jungle” remained part of Bebe Cool’s early rise. The account also points to the uncertainty artists can feel before a song becomes a success, especially in competitive markets like Nairobi’s music scene of that period. As background, Ogopa Deejays was a well-known Kenyan production label associated with several popular regional releases, which helps explain why the encounter carried weight for both musicians.