Veteran Ugandan musician Shanks Vivie’D has opened up about the role he played in launching the career of singer Jose Chameleone.
He revealed that the Leone Island Music Empire boss first approached him for an opportunity to perform in the mid-1990s.
According to Shanks, Chameleone came to him in 1996 seeking a chance to showcase his talent, marking the beginning of a relationship that would evolve into both mentorship and lasting friendship.
At the time, Shanks was among Uganda’s biggest music stars, enjoying immense popularity with several hit songs and sharing stages with renowned international artistes.
His influence on Chameleone’s early career has also been acknowledged by Chameleone himself, who has previously credited Shanks with giving him his first performance opportunities and introducing him to influential figures in the music industry.
Although Chameleone went on to become one of Uganda’s most successful musical exports while Shanks’ career followed a different path, the veteran singer says he harbours no resentment.
“Our relationship has always been built on brotherhood and friendship, and we’re still good friends to this day,” Shanks said.
When asked why he never reached the same level of commercial success as his former protégé and whether he ever felt jealous of Chameleone’s achievements, Shanks dismissed the suggestion outright.
He said he takes pride in Chameleone’s success, noting that if jealousy had been part of their relationship, he would never have helped him when he was still trying to establish himself in the music industry.
Shanks added that he has never been concerned with comparisons, rankings or popularity, saying his greatest satisfaction is seeing someone he mentored grow into one of Africa’s finest entertainers.
Shanks also addressed long-standing claims that he abandoned his music career after relocating to the United Kingdom because of a woman.
He dismissed the rumours, explaining that his move to the UK was purely for academic reasons. He revealed that he pursued further studies at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), one of the world’s leading performing arts institutions.
The singer also rejected claims that he retired from music, revealing that he is actively working on several new songs and remains passionate about his craft.
He emphasized that although he stepped away from the public spotlight for some time, music has always remained an important part of his life.
Shanks also shared his thoughts on why he has fewer children than some of his fellow artistes.
He explained that during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, many people—including musicians—were far more cautious about their sexual relationships because of the devastating impact of the virus.
According to Shanks, attitudes have changed over the years as the effects of HIV/AIDS have become less severe due to medical advancements, leading some people to approach relationships differently than they did in previous decades.
