Eziokwu@Iameziokwu
What really happened was that, a few weeks into his U.S. tour, Jonasi made a joke about the iconic opening chant from The Lion King. Specifically the “Circle of Life” chant, “Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba.” In a stand‑up set and a podcast appearance, he humorously offered a translation like “look, there’s a lion, oh my God” instead of the deeper, culturally rooted meaning often cited by Disney and language experts. That clip went viral online, reaching millions of viewers.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Los Angeles in March 2026 by Lebohang Morake, known professionally as Lebo M. The Grammy‑winning composer and original performer of that Lion King chant.
Morake claims Jonasi’s joke wasn’t just a harmless gag but a “misrepresentation” that damaged the cultural value of his work, harmed his reputation, and interfered with existing commercial relationships, including potential Disney royalties. He is seeking about $27 million in damages.
Morake argues that Jonasi presented his comedic interpretation in a way that some audience members took seriously, and that this allegedly lowered the perceived cultural value and artistic integrity of the chant. The legal filing says the translation misled people about the song’s meaning and resulted in causing him financial harm.
Jonasi has said he didn’t intend to harm anyone. He’s posted on social media showing the moment he was served the lawsuit during a live performance, and he’s also launched a GoFundMe to cover legal fees, describing the claim as overwhelming and a threat to his livelihood. He also expressed admiration for Morake’s work and initially suggested they could collaborate to clarify the meaning, though that hasn’t materialized.