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Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi has faced a $27 million fine after making a joke about the opening theme song of Disney’s The Lion King.
During an appearance on the One54 Africa podcast last month, Jonasi joked “Nants’ingonyama bagiti Baba,” the African song that opens the song “Circle of Life,” which translates as “Look! There’s a lion! Oh my god!”
South African composer Lebohang Morake, known as Lebo M, who sang the first song, accused the comedian in a legal document dated March 16 of making “false statements about the meaning of the song ‘Nants’ingonyama’ which he insists translates to “Praise the king, we all bow before the king.”
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Composer Lebo M has filed a lawsuit against comedian Learnmore Jonas over recent allegations about the rendition of the opening theme song to Disney’s “The Lion King.” (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
He said Jonasi lowered the price of the song, which may have a negative impact on Morake’s reputation and properties, and he is seeking damages of more than $27 million.
In an Instagram video on March 13, Jonasi admitted that he spoke to Morake about the joke, which reportedly led to a heated confrontation.
“When this man first came to me, he came to me with the attitude that I don’t respect his job, right?” Jonasi said. “And I was like, ‘No, actually, I’m a big fan of yours. I really like the song.’ So, this was just a joke, and jokes always have a way of starting a conversation. I told him this. Now it’s your turn to teach people because now people are listening.”
Jonasi said Morake called him a “self-hating” and “stupid” black person for telling this joke.
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Learnmore Jonas accused Lebo M. of calling him “self-hating” and “stupid.” (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Disney)
“I see that I am not actually talking to someone who wants to do that. This person is not attacking a joke but my character,” Jonasi said.
Jonasi revealed that he was later charged days later during his comedy show at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles.
“Now I have a gluten allergy, anxiety. I got help. Now I’m American,” Jonasi joked in a video of the game.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to representatives for Jonasi and Morake for comment.
In an interview with the New York Post on Friday, Jonasi, who created a GoFundMe page to get legal support, denied what was said in the case, saying that this joke has increased the interest of the film and the song.
Lebo M said the opening song “Circle of Life” translates to “All hail the king, we all bow before the king.” (Photos by Oupa Bopape/Gallo via Getty Images)
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“I actually got a lot of messages saying, ‘Hey that joke made me want to go back and watch the movie again.’ It revived people’s interest in this song. It actually made it more worthwhile,” Jonasi said.
