Composer of ‘The Lion King’ Sues Comedian for $27M Over Joke
A South African comedian is facing a hefty lawsuit of $27 million due to a viral joke involving a mistranslation of a chant from Disney’s “The Lion King.” The complaint was filed in California on March 16 by Lebohang Morake, known as Lebo M, who is a Grammy-winning composer responsible for the iconic Zulu vocals in the film.
Background of the Lawsuit
Morake claims that the joke, delivered by comedian Learnmore Jonasi, has distorted the meaning of the chant “Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba.” This chant, he asserts, is accurately translated as “All hail the king, we all bow in the presence of the king,” embodying royal praise poetry in isiZulu and isiXhosa.
Details of the Allegations
- Date of Filing: March 16, 2023
- Defendant: Learnmore Jonasi (also known as Learnmore Mwanyenyeka)
- Plaintiff: Lebohang Morake (Lebo M)
- Legal Venue: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- Amount of Damages: $27 million
In the lawsuit, Morake describes Jonasi’s translation as “a sick joke” that undermines his artistic contributions. He emphasizes that the chant, while present in “Circle of Life,” stands alone as an important cultural expression rooted in South African traditions.
Comedian’s Response and Campaign
Jonasi has publicly stated that the lawsuit is “unjust,” launching a GoFundMe campaign to assist with legal fees, which has raised over $16,000 to date. He discussed the joke during an interview on the One54 Africa podcast, where he misrepresented the chant’s meaning, claiming it translates to “Look, there’s a lion. Oh, my god.”
Morake contends that Jonasi’s misinterpretation is misleading and hurtful. Following their exchange on Instagram, where Morake expressed his concerns, Jonasi dismissed the gravity of the situation, suggesting that comedy should spark conversations and indicated a willingness to collaborate with Morake for educational purposes.
Public Reaction
The social media fallout from Jonasi’s joke has been significant. Many users expressed disappointment, alleging that his version of the chant had “ruined their childhood.” The backlash highlights the sensitivity surrounding cultural representations and the potential impact of public comedic renditions.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it raises important questions about cultural appropriation and the responsibilities of comedians in representing diverse heritages. Meanwhile, Disney has not commented on the ongoing legal dispute.
