A legal battle has emerged over a viral joke about one of the most recognizable musical openings in film history, as South African composer Lebohang “Lebo M” Morake files a $27 million lawsuit against comedian Learnmore Jonasi.
Morake, the Grammy-winning artist behind the opening vocals of The Lion King’s “Circle of Life,” alleges that Jonasi falsely and publicly misrepresented the meaning of the iconic chant, damaging both his reputation and the cultural significance of the work.
The dispute stems from a podcast appearance in which Jonasi jokingly translated the Zulu chant as, “Look, there’s a lion. Oh my God.” The remark quickly spread across social media, drawing widespread attention and amusement.
Morake, however, argues that the chant carries deep cultural and symbolic meaning rooted in Zulu and Xhosa traditions. According to the lawsuit, the phrase is a form of royal praise poetry that translates more accurately to “All hail the king, we bow in his presence,” reflecting themes of reverence and leadership.
Filed in a U.S. federal court in California, the complaint accuses Jonasi of presenting the joke as factual rather than comedic, thereby misleading audiences and trivializing an important piece of African cultural expression. The lawsuit also cites online reactions from users who said they believed the comedian’s interpretation, with some claiming it altered their view.
The filing further alleges that Jonasi did not clearly frame the statement as comedy, presenting it instead as factual commentary. Morake claims the viral spread of the clip has damaged his reputation and diminished the cultural significance of the composition, which stands independently as a traditional African vocal expression.
Jonasi has pushed back, describing the lawsuit as unjust. In a public response, he said the remark was part of a long-running comedic routine and was never intended to be taken literally. He added that the controversy presents an opportunity to educate audiences about the chant’s true meaning.
The comedian has since launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover legal costs, drawing support from fans as the case gains international attention.
Legal experts note the case could test the boundaries between satire and defamation, particularly in the context of culturally significant works. It also highlights the risks associated with viral content, where humor can quickly blur into perceived misinformation.
Disney has not publicly commented on the dispute.
