Composer of Iconic ‘Lion King’ Chant Sues Comedian Over ‘Circle of Life’ Translation

April 23, 2026

Grammy-winning South African composer Lebohang Morake (Lebo M), who created the iconic opening chant for Disney's "The Lion King," has filed a $27 million lawsuit against Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi in Los Angeles federal court. Morake alleges that Jonasi damaged his reputation by intentionally mistranslating the song's Zulu and Xhosa lyrics during podcast appearances and stand-up performances, claiming the words mean "Look, there's a lion. Oh my god" rather than the official translation about hailing a king.

Who is affected

Lebohang Morake (Lebo M), the Grammy-award winning South African composer
Learnmore Mwanyenyeka (Learnmore Jonasi), the Zimbabwean comedian
Disney (mentioned in relation to business relationships and royalties)
The One54 podcast hosts (Nigerian hosts who participated in the discussion)
Audiences of Jonasi's stand-up performances and podcast appearances

What action is being taken

Morake is suing Jonasi in federal court in Los Angeles (lawsuit filed this month)
The two men are challenging each other on social media
Jonasi is continuing his U.S. tour

Why it matters

This case raises important questions about the intersection of comedy, cultural authenticity, and free speech protections. The dispute highlights tensions around how African culture is portrayed and interpreted in American media, with Morake arguing that intentional mistranslation damages the cultural significance of traditional African artistic expression and his professional reputation. The lawsuit also tests legal boundaries between protected comedic parody and actionable misrepresentation, particularly when comedy involves translations of culturally significant works. With $27 million in damages at stake and potential implications for Morake's ongoing relationship with Disney, the outcome could affect how comedians engage with cultural criticism of popular entertainment.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint