‘The Lion King’ singer sues comedian over mistranslated chant

‘The Lion King’ singer sues comedian for mistranslating ‘Circle of Life’ chant, seeks over $20M in damages

Grammy-winning South African composer Lebohang Morake, known for performing the iconic opening chant in ‘Circle of Life’ for Disney’s The Lion King, is suing comedian Learnmore Jonasi for allegedly misrepresenting the song’s meaning. Morake claims Jonasi’s jokes on the ‘One54’ podcast and during a standup performance have damaged his reputation and business relationships, seeking more than $20 million in actual damages and an additional $7 million in punitive damages.

The lawsuit centres on Jonasi’s claim that the chant “Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba,” which translates from Zulu as “All hail the king, we all bow in the presence of the king,” actually means “Look, there’s a lion. Oh my god.” The podcast hosts reportedly laughed at Jonasi’s translation, describing it as less ‘beautiful and majestic’ than expected. Morake argues that Jonasi presented the translation as authoritative fact rather than comedy, putting it outside First Amendment protections for satire and parody.

Jonasi allegedly repeated the joke during a March 12 performance in Los Angeles, reportedly receiving a standing ovation. While he has not formally responded to the lawsuit in court, Jonasi posted a social media video expressing admiration for Morake’s work and suggesting a collaboration to educate fans about the true meaning of the chant. “Comedy always has a way of starting conversation,” Jonasi said, adding, “This is your chance to actually educate people, because now people are listening.”

‘Circle of Life’ remains one of Disney’s most celebrated songs, nominated for both an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy for Song of the Year, though it lost the Oscar to ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight.’ Morake’s lawsuit highlights concerns that viral misinformation, even in a comedic context, can have tangible financial and professional consequences, particularly when linked to high-profile franchises like Disney’s ‘The Lion King.’

The case has drawn attention from both music and comedy industries, sparking debate about the boundaries of artistic license in comedy and the responsibility of performers to accurately represent cultural material. Fans have engaged on social media, sharing clips of Jonasi’s performance and debating the legitimacy of Morake’s claims, further amplifying the conversation around the iconic chant and its significance.