Comedian Learnmore Jonasi has started a fundraiser to help pay for his legal bills after being sued $27 million over a Lion King joke.
Jonasi, whose real name is Learnmore Mwanyenyeka, made a joke about the famous ‘Circle of Life’ song during a February episode of One54.
In the now-viral clip, he suggested that the opening phrase ‘Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba’ was Zulu, and translates as: “Look, there’s a lion. Oh my god!”
Disney, however, say that its true meaning should be: “All hail the king, we all bow in the presence of the king.”
Lebohang Morake, the composer of the chant, believes that the video has damaged his reputation and is ‘disrespecting his work’.
His lawyers said in the complaint that ‘ingonyama’ can literally translate to ‘lion’, but is used in the song as a ‘royal metaphor’ that invokes kingship, and that Jonasi intentionally misrepresented ‘an African vocal proclamation grounded in South African tradition’.
Lebohang Morake, the composer of the Lion King ‘Circle of Life’ song, believes the comedian has damaged his reputation (Oupa Bopape/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
“He’s insulting my work that has been inspirational to people around the world for over 50 years. Then insulting my culture,” Morake said.
Learnmore Jonasi launches GoFundMe to ‘fight unjust lawsuit’
The stand-up has set up a $20,000 GoFundMe and admitted that he is ‘reaching out during one of the most difficult moments in my life’.
“I was recently hit with a $27 million lawsuit by renowned artist Lebohang Morake (Lebo M) over a joke I made about The Lion King’s opening Zulu chant,” he wrote, as almost $11,000 has already been raised at the time of writing.
“What started as a bit of humor has escalated into a devastating legal battle.
‘Circle of Life’ was written by Elton John and Tim Rice (Disney)
“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.”
Jonasi revealed that ‘the total cost for my defence is beyond my means’, and that he ‘needs your help’.
“Every donation, big or small, will directly go toward my legal representation, so I can fight this unjust claim and protect my livelihood. Please help me raise the funds needed so I can keep telling my story,” he explained.
“If you can, please donate and share this campaign widely. Your support means the world to me.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Learnmore Jonasi was served on stage
While on stage, Jonasi asks ‘What is this?’ as he’s handed a yellow piece of paper.
Jonasi was served on stage (Instagram/@learnmore_jonasi)
He tells the crowd: “Oh s**t I just got served. Oh s**t. Oh my God.
“This is for… I did a joke about The Lion King. I’m paying for that s**t now. F**k The Lion King.
“Listen, I now have anxiety, a gluten allergy, I’ve got served – I’m now American! Any lawyer?”
The complaint accuses Jonasi of presenting his translation ‘as authoritative fact, not comedy’ so it shouldn’t get the First Amendment protections afforded to comedians.
LADbible has contacted Disney and representatives of Jonasi for comment.