Lebo M is taking legal action over comments about a fan favorite moment from Disney’s iconic movie, The Lion King.
The Grammy-winning composer filed a lawsuit in California against Learnmore Jonasi, alleging the comedian shared false claims about the meaning of the well-known opening chant. According to the complaint, Jonasi’s viral podcast appearance included statements that were presented “as fact, not comedy.”
The chant, “Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba,” has long been associated with the film’s opening sequence.
“Jonasi’s reduction to ‘Look, there’s a lion. Oh my god’ is not a simplified translation—it is a fabricated, trivializing distortion, meant as a sick joke for unlawful self-profit and destruction of the imaginative and artistic work of Lebo M,” the complaint reads. “The true meaning of Nants’ ingonyama bagithi Baba is ‘All hail the king, we all bow in the presence of the king.””
BREAKING NEWS: Grammy-winning composer Lebo M is suing a Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi for defamation and other claims over a viral podcast clip.⁰
The lawsuit alleges Jonasi misrepresented the meaning of the iconic chant from Disney’s The Lion King.⁰
Lebo M is seeking… pic.twitter.com/lxc8BQtF3b— PSAFLIVE (@PSAFLIVE) March 19, 2026
“The true meaning is deeply rooted in respect and reverence,” the complaint states. “It is not a joke.”
Lebo M also addressed the impact of the moment. “This work represents decades of cultural expression,” he said. “It deserves accuracy and respect.”
Jonasi previously discussed the chant during an appearance on the One54 Africa podcast, where his remarks quickly went viral.
The lawsuit alleges defamation and other claims, including harm to the composer’s professional reputation. Lebo M is seeking a whopping $27 million in damages and a jury trial.
“This is about protecting the integrity of the work,” the complaint states. “And ensuring it is not misrepresented.”