US EditionTranslations of Lion King Lyrics Explained as Comedian Gets Sued for $27 Million for His Version
Morake claims the mistranslation of the isiZulu chant in The Lion King harms his cultural legacy; $16,000 was raised by March 27 for Jonasi's legal defense.
- Grammy-Winning South African composer Lebohang Morake, known professionally as Lebo M, is suing comedian Learnmore Jonasi for $27,000,000 over a viral mistranslation of the 'Circle of Life' chant from Disney's 1994 film 'The Lion King.'
- During a February 25 podcast appearance, Jonasi translated the Zulu chant as 'Look, there's a lion,' which went viral. Morake contends the lyrics are 'royal praise poetry' written in isiZulu and isiXhosa that 'stands independently as an African vocal proclamation grounded in South African tradition.'
- Morake's attorneys argue Jonasi's eight-year history of performing this joke constitutes 'actual malice.' On Tuesday, Jonasi was served with the lawsuit on stage, maintaining the bit was 'just a joke' and 'unfortunate that you see it this way.'
- The lawsuit seeks $20,000,000 in damages and around $7,000,000 in estimated disgorgement of profits. Jonasi launched a GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $16,000, calling the legal complaint 'unjust' in his appeal to supporters.
- While the pair aired grievances in the court of public opinion earlier this month, litigation now proceeds in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Morake claims Jonasi's mockery interfered with his business dealings, while online critics suggest the translation 'ruined their childhood.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Comedian Sued for $27 Million Over ‘The Lion King’ Joke
Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi, who went viral for discussing the opening song of “The Lion King” on a podcast, was sued for $27 million by one of the film’s composers, Lebohang Morake. “I can’t believe I’m getting sued for telling a joke,” Jonasi confirmed in an Instagram video. “What kind of stupid world do we live in?” The stand-up comic was served the lawsuit while performing a set at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, according to a vi…
A comedian joked about the song "Circle of Life" from Disney's "King of the Lions" - and now has a million-dollar complaint on his neck.
Learnmore Jonasi starts a GoFundMe for legal fees to fight Lebo M's R460 million lawsuit
Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi, whose real name is Learnmore Mwanyenyeka, is raising funds to fight a $27m (R460m) lawsuit brought on by The Lion King composer Lebo M. Akbar Gbajabiamila and comedian Godfrey, both Nigerian-American, hosted Mwanyenyeka on their One54 Africa Podcast, where they spoke about the lyrics at the beginning of the movie’s theme song, Circle of Life, among other topics. Mwanyenyeka said the translation for “Nants in…
Lebohang Morake, the Grammy Award-winning composer of The Lion King, has filed a lawsuit against Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi, seeking $27 million for alleged reputational damage.
Defamation suit of 27 million: Lebo M takes action against Learnmore Jonasi – delivered at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles.
Comedian sued over ‘Lion King’ joke got served $27M lawsuit while onstage: ‘They thought it was a bit’
Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi told The Post Friday he was in the middle of telling a joke at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, when he was suddenly handed the legal papers.
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