A comedian’s viral riff about the instantly recognizable Zulu chant from the iconic song “The Circle of Life” in Disney’s The Lion King has triggered a $27 million defamation lawsuit — and a new legal defense fundraiser from the comic in the crosshairs.
Zimbabwean stand-up Learnmore Jonasi was sued last week after joking on the One54 Africa podcast that the soaring chant “Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba” from the hit movie The Lion King actually means something far less lofty than many probably thought. “Look, there’s a lion. Oh my God,” he said, offering his translation to the astonished podcast hosts.
The South African singer behind the chant, Lebohang Morake, known professionally as Lebo M, sued Jonasi for $27 million in federal court in Los Angeles. He says in the suit, obtained by Rolling Stone, that the line really means, “All hail the king, we all bow in the presence of the king,” and accuses Jonasi of pushing a false translation with “reckless disregard” for the truth and Lebo M’s reputation.
On Wednesday, Jonasi shared a video on TikTok showing himself getting served with the lawsuit while performing onstage at The Laugh Factory. The comedian has since started a GoFundMe fundraiser to gather a legal war chest to fight the complaint.
“What started as a bit of humour has escalated into a devastating legal battle,” Jonasi wrote in a letter to fans on the fundraiser website. I am a passionate creator who never intended harm, but I now face overwhelming legal fees just to defend my right to speak and tell jokes.”
As of Thursday, the fundraiser topped $13,890 in donations. “I am truly grateful for all your support and kindness. Because of you, l now have a fighting chance with this lawsuit,” Jonasi, whose legal last name is Mwanyenyeka, wrote in a follow-up message on Thursday.
In the 19-page lawsuit obtained by Rolling Stone, Morake claimed that Jonasi delivered his allegedly defamatory remarks in an “authoritative” voice on a conversational podcast, not as comedy on a standup special. “Defendant presented it as factual knowledge with misguided authenticity to increase exposure and mockery of Lebo M’s creative masterpiece,” the lawsuit argues.
Love Music?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in Australian/New Zealand music and globally.
“Defendant’s malicious depiction … has created a false narrative for the highly talented work of plaintiff and the numerous accolades received worldwide for ‘Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba,’” the lawsuit states. “This is an intentional act by the defendant to destroy Plaintiff’s creative content by spitting on his work with continuous mockery and disdain.”
Morake called the comments “theft by mockery,” alleging that Jonasi is making money off his viral riff at Morake’s expense. “This is not free speech, because the statements by defendant are false, vicious, and intended to cause significant harm to the legacy of Lebo M. Lebo M has continued to work with Disney over the last two years on Mufasa and has legitimate concerns whether Disney will call on his services again, due to Learnmore’s mischaracterisation,” he said.
In addition to his GoFundMe, Jonasi also is raising money by selling merch in the form of T-shirts emblazoned with, “Look it’s a Lawsuit. Oh my God,” alongside a cartoon of himself holding up papers in a pose that echoes Mufasa presenting his cub, Simba. “Get your T-shirt now, You can really help me pay these legal fees,” he wrote on Instagram.
From Rolling Stone US
