Biography:
Clever J, born Gerald Muwonge is a Ugandan recording artist, producer and composer who caught the music scene by surprise in the early 2000s particularly with his song ‘Wanzi Wanani’ in 2007. Clever J was majorly known for his voice which is much related to his cousin's Jose Chameleone, real name Joseph Mayanja.
Clever J was born in Uganda to Mr. John Bukenya and the late Rosemary Nalujja, however, he was partly raised by Jose Cameleone’s parents Gerald Mayanja and Proscovia Musoke.
He is recorded to have gone to several schools. He attended Kasanga Victoria School for his nursery education. Thereafter, he joined Holy Family School for his P.5 till P.7. Later Clever J joined Standard High School Kawempe for his secondary education before attending Nagalama Islamic Institute.
Unfortunately, Clever J dropped out of school in senior three after losing the properties that were given to him by his cousins from the Mayanja family in a fire that gutted the school. He could not afford school anymore and that’s how his school journey ended.
Clever J began his music career in 1994 and did his first three songs which were recorded at Leone Island record label owned by the celebrated musician, Dr Jose Chameleone that include; ‘Yewuwo’, Sirina Mulala’ and ‘Obusungu’. Then in 2006, he released his hit album titled ‘Manzi Wanani’ in which he was the producer.
It was followed by the ‘Ensi Yaleeta’ album and other songs. Unfortunately however, this is when he met his downfall. In 2020, Clever J resurfaced on the music scene saying he was working on his comeback after a successful concert he was involved in.
However, his music return didn’t work out, he has been silent since then and according to reports, Clever J gave up on music. He’s said to have resorted to bricklaying after failing musically in Buloba, a Kampala City outskirt.
In March 2021, his former manager MP Jesus revealed that Clever J sold off his studio he had set up in his home to start a welding store to earn a living and turned Born Again Christian.
He attributes his downfall musically to the fact that artists are more interested in singing for fun rather than sending educative messages to their fans. According to him, the music of today fades away shortly unlike the music before which still matters because it carried a message.
Clever J also said that he was booked on several concerts, performed but went without payment, yet he spent his own money transporting himself to the music venue and this too contributed to his downfall.
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