Composer says it damages his business with Disney

The writer of the Lion King’s Circle Of Life chant is suing a comedian for mocking it.

Lebo M is demanding $27million (£20million) from comic Learnmore Jonasi, pictured, accusing him of for damaging his reputation by demeaning the 'chant’s cultural significance’.

On the One54 Podcast, the comic said that far from having deep significance, the second line of the Zulu chant – ‘Hay! baba, sizongqoba’ – translates simply as 'Look, there’s a lion. Oh my god.'

Podcast hosts Akbar Gbajabiamila and Godfrey laughed, admitting hey had believed the chant to be something more 'beautiful and majestic’.

Disney’s official translation is that the line means: 'Through you we will emerge victoriously’, following the first line hailing the king.

Lawyers acting for South African composer Lebo M – full name Lebohang Morake – acknowledge that ‘ingonyama' can literally mean ‘lion’ but contend it is used in the song as a ‘metaphor’ invoking kingship. 

They argue that Pittsburgh-based Zimbabwean comic Jonasi – who also mocks the song in a stand-up routine – intentionally misrepresented the chant which is 'grounded in South African tradition’.

The lawsuit, lodged this month in a Los Angeles federal court, where Morake lives, says the comedian intentionally mocked 'the chant’s cultural significance with exaggerated imitations’.

It alleges that such viral statements are interfering with Mr Morake’s business relationships with Disney and his royalty income

As detailed by the Associated Press news agency, the complaint further argues that Mr Jonasi presented his translation 'as authoritative fact, not comedy,’ so isn't protected by America's First Amendment that usually covers parody and satire.

Jonasi’s comments come within a broader critique of The Lion King franchise, which he argues profits from simplistic narratives about the African continent

On Instagram, Jones posted: 'I am officially getting sued for telling that lion King joke This is crazy, Any good lawyers out here please’ – and urging fans to buy merch he added; 'You can help me pay these crazy legal fees, I don’t have 27M.’

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Published: 25 Mar 2026