Grammy-Winning Composer Lebo M Files $20 Million Federal Lawsuit Against Zimbabwean Comedian Learnmore Jonasi Over Viral Lion King Mistranslation

Complaint alleges Lanham Act violation, defamation per se, trade libel, and tortious interference stemming from viral podcast clip that misrepresented the meaning of the iconic opening chant

By March On Victory Media Desk
March 17, 2026 | Los Angeles, CA

LOS ANGELES — Grammy Award-winning South African composer Lebohang Morake, known globally as Lebo M, filed a federal lawsuit on March 16, 2026 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Mwanyenyeka, professionally known as Learnmore Jonasi. The case, assigned docket number 2:26-cv-02795, seeks more than $20 million in actual and punitive damages, disgorgement of defendant’s profits, treble damages, and permanent injunctive relief.

The four-count complaint asserts claims for misleading representation under the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. §1125(a)), defamation per se, trade libel, and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage. Attorney Michael A. Younge of Laguna Hills, California is representing the plaintiff. A jury trial has been demanded.

The Composition at Issue

At the center of the dispute is the opening chant of Disney’s The Lion King (1994), composed, produced, and performed by Lebo M. The chant, written in isiZulu and isiXhosa, is a Praise Imbongi—a form of royal praise poetry rooted in South African tradition. It is distinct from the English-language “Circle of Life” written by Elton John and Tim Rice. The 2019 Lion King soundtrack liner notes published the official contextual translation, confirming the chant’s meaning as a royal proclamation honoring kingship, ancestral authority, and sovereign presence.

The complaint emphasizes that while the Zulu word “ingonyama” can literally translate to “lion,” within the tradition of Praise Imbongi and royal metaphor, it signifies kingship and ancestral sovereignty—the lion serving as a metaphorical vehicle for royalty.

The Viral Podcast Incident

According to the complaint, Jonasi appeared on the One54 Africa podcast in a clip approximately eight minutes and forty-seven seconds long that was published on YouTube and subsequently went viral. In the segment, Jonasi asserted that the opening chant of The Lion King translates to a trivial, fabricated phrase. When challenged by the podcast host, Jonasi doubled down on the claim and presented it as authoritative fact rather than comedy. The complaint alleges Jonasi referenced Zulu as the language being sung and positioned himself as knowledgeable about the language to lend false credibility to his misrepresentation.

The filing notes that the podcast segment was presented in a conversational, informational format—not a stand-up set or clearly marked comedy special—and that Jonasi did not frame his statements as jokes in delivery. The viral clip garnered significant engagement across YouTube and Instagram, with comment sections demonstrating actual public confusion and reliance on the false translation.

Direct Notice and Refusal to Retract

The complaint details a direct message exchange on Instagram in which Lebo M contacted Jonasi, identified himself as the composer, provided the correct translation and cultural context, and stated that Jonasi’s comments crossed a line by trivializing African culture. Jonasi acknowledged Lebo M’s identity but declined to correct or retract the misrepresentation. According to the filing, Jonasi affirmatively stated he would not stop and admitted to performing the material for eight years, establishing what the complaint characterizes as a pattern of willful misrepresentation.

This exchange forms the evidentiary foundation for the complaint’s actual malice argument under the standard established in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, as well as its claim for punitive damages under California Civil Code §3294.

Scope of Alleged Damages

The complaint alleges ongoing and escalating harm across multiple dimensions. On the commercial side, the filing asserts that Jonasi’s mischaracterization is impacting Lebo M’s 32-year professional relationship with The Walt Disney Company, including work on The Lion King franchise, Broadway productions across multiple countries, and the recently released Mufasa. The plaintiff expresses concern about whether Disney will continue to engage his services given the viral distortion of his signature composition.

The complaint further alleges that Jonasi has produced and sold merchandise featuring the false characterization, profiting directly at the expense of Lebo M’s creative legacy. Additionally, the filing states that Lebo M now faces personal security concerns, including xenophobic backlash from communities in both Zimbabwe and South Africa, forcing him to increase security for himself and his family.

The prayer for relief seeks actual damages projected to exceed $20 million, disgorgement of the defendant’s profits estimated at $7 million, treble damages for willful infringement under 15 U.S.C. §1117, permanent injunctive relief ordering the defendant to abandon the false interpretation across all media, and attorney’s fees.

Cultural and Industry Significance

Legal observers have noted that the case may carry broader implications for intellectual property protection and the safeguarding of indigenous cultural works. The complaint frames the dispute not merely as a commercial matter but as a question of cultural integrity, arguing that the composition represents over 30 years of placing authentic African musical expression on the global stage.

Lebo M is a dual citizen of the United States and South Africa who resides and conducts substantial business in Los Angeles. His entertainment career—including the Lebo M Live residency, international touring, the Dubai Symphony of 3, and HAVASI Arena Tours—is managed from the Los Angeles entertainment ecosystem.

Jonasi, a Zimbabwean-born comedian based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, most recently performed at The Comedy Store’s Belly Room in Los Angeles on March 12, 2026. He is a verified Instagram user and winner of the 2019 National Arts Merit Awards for Outstanding Comedian of the Year and the 2019 Savanna Comic Choice Awards for Pan African Comic of the Year.

Case Status

The complaint was filed on March 16, 2026 and is pending before the Central District of California. Service of process on the defendant has not yet been confirmed on the public docket. The case is in its earliest procedural stage.

---

Case Reference: Morake v. Mwanyenyeka, Case No. 2:26-cv-02795 (C.D. Cal., filed Mar. 16, 2026)

Source Documents: Complaint for (1) Misleading Representation in Violation of Lanham Act 15 USC 1125; (2) Defamation Per Se; (3) Trade Libel; (4) Tortious Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage (Demand for Jury Trial), filed March 16, 2026, 19 pages.