{"id":497477,"date":"2026-03-27T02:23:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T02:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/497477\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T02:23:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T02:23:08","slug":"comic-claps-back-after-27-million-lawsuit-over-lion-king-zulu-chant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/497477\/","title":{"rendered":"Comic Claps Back After $27 Million Lawsuit Over ‘Lion King’ Zulu Chant"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tA comedian\u2019s viral riff about the instantly recognizable Zulu chant from the iconic song \u201cThe Circle of Life\u201d in Disney<\/a>\u2019s The Lion King<\/a> has triggered a $27 million defamation lawsuit \u2014 and a new legal defense fundraiser from the comic in the crosshairs.<\/p>\n

\n\tZimbabwean stand-up Learnmore Jonasi was sued last week after joking on the One54 Africa podcast <\/a>that the soaring chant \u201cNants\u2019ingonyama bagithi Baba\u201d from the hit movie The Lion King<\/a> actually means something far less lofty than many probably thought. \u201cLook, there\u2019s a lion. Oh my God,\u201d he said, offering his translation to the astonished podcast hosts.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe 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, \u201cAll hail the king, we all bow in the presence of the king,\u201d and accuses Jonasi of pushing a false translation with \u201creckless disregard\u201d for the truth and Lebo M\u2019s reputation.<\/p>\n

\n\tOn Wednesday, Jonasi shared a video<\/a> on TikTok showing himself getting served with the lawsuit while performing onstage at The Laugh Factory. The comedian has since started a GoFundMe fundraiser<\/a> to gather a legal war chest to fight the complaint.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWhat started as a bit of humor has escalated into a devastating legal battle,\u201d 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tAs of Thursday, the fundraiser topped $13,890 in donations. \u201cI am truly grateful for all your support and kindness. Because of you, l now have a fighting chance with this lawsuit,\u201d Jonasi, whose legal last name is Mwanyenyeka, wrote in a follow-up message on Thursday.<\/p>\n

\n\tIn the 19-page lawsuit obtained by Rolling Stone, Morake claimed that Jonasi delivered his allegedly defamatory remarks in an \u201cauthoritative\u201d voice on a conversational podcast, not as comedy on a standup special. \u201cDefendant presented it as factual knowledge with misguided authenticity to increase exposure and mockery of Lebo M\u2019s creative masterpiece,\u201d the lawsuit argues.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\u201cDefendant\u2019s malicious depiction \u2026 has created a false narrative for the highly talented work of plaintiff and the numerous accolades received worldwide for \u2018Nants\u2019ingonyama bagithi Baba,\u2019\u201d the lawsuit states. \u201cThis is an intentional act by the defendant to destroy Plaintiff\u2019s creative content by spitting on his work with continuous mockery and disdain.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n\tMorake called the comments \u201ctheft by mockery,\u201d alleging that Jonasi is making money off his viral riff at Morake\u2019s expense. \u201cThis 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\u2019s mischaracterization,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\n\tIn addition to his GoFundMe, Jonasi also is raising money by selling merch in the form of T-shirts emblazoned with, \u201cLook it\u2019s a Lawsuit. Oh my God,\u201d alongside a cartoon of himself holding up papers in a pose that echoes Mufasa presenting his cub, Simba. \u201cGet your T-shirt now, You can really help me pay these legal fees,\u201d he wrote on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n