Lion King Chant: Composer Sues Comedian for $27M

South African composer Lebo M filed a $27 million lawsuit on March 16, 2026, against Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi. The suit targets a viral podcast comment Jonasi made about the famous Zulu chant from Disney's The Lion King. Lebo M, who composed and performed the chant "Nants'ingonyama bagithi Baba" for the 1994 and 2019 films, alleges Jonasi's translation of the chant as "Look, there's a lion. Oh my god" is a "fabricated, trivializing distortion."

The legal complaint asserts that Jonasi's comment defames Lebo M, libels his artistic work, and interferes with his business. Lebo M fears this could jeopardize his relationship with Disney and has expressed concerns for his safety, citing xenophobic comments he has received while touring. Jonasi's defense may invoke First Amendment protections for comedy, though Lebo M's legal team argues the delivery was presented as fact.

This legal action follows an online dispute that began after the podcast clip gained traction. Lebo M stated he attempted to resolve the issue directly with Jonasi, but the comedian reportedly dismissed his concerns. Jonasi later responded to Lebo M's public statements, suggesting the composer attacked his character rather than the joke itself, leading to a breakdown in communication.