Lebo M, ‘The Lion King’ Composer, Discusses Return for Mufasa Prequel

South African composer Lebo M, celebrated for crafting the distinctive opening chant of The Lion King’s Circle of Life, achieved legendary status after a period of exile in the US. He is now contributing his signature sound to Mufasa, the latest instalment in the franchise. His memorable Zulu cry, “Nants ingonyama, bagithi Baba”, which translates to “here comes a lion, father”, stands out as a pivotal moment in the original film. He is now bringing his characteristic musical style to Mufasa through a new composition. The film, directed by Barry Jenkins, functions as a prequel, chronicling the journey of an orphaned Mufasa as he confronts challenges and endeavors to establish his place in the world. This narrative mirrors aspects of Lebo M’s personal history. Born in 1964, during the peak of apartheid, South Africa’s oppressive racist system, he spent his formative years in Soweto, a black township located on the outskirts of Johannesburg. He shared on the BBC Africa Daily podcast that he originated from “the poorest neighbourhood and the poorest family”. Despite the circumstances of his birth, his innate talent and passion for singing were evident. In 1979, at the age of 16, he was compelled into exile following a trip to neighboring Lesotho for a performance. Having traveled without an ID or passport, he was subsequently denied re-entry to South Africa. He resided in Lesotho for a period before relocating to the US for his education, eventually settling in Los Angeles. It was in Los Angeles that his career experienced rapid growth, marking the commencement of his involvement with The Lion King. Lebo M expressed pride in his contribution to a project like The Lion King, which he stated “that represents Africa in the highest quality,” and regards it as one of his significant accomplishments. However, despite being a “major part of the original DNA” of The Lion King through his conceptualization and composition of its music, Lebo M believes he has not achieved the same level of financial success from it as some of his contemporaries, largely attributing this to his background. “I’m forever a refugee, I’m forever an immigrant from Africa even in the business room,” he informed the BBC. He explained that at the time, he lacked legal representation to ensure he received his equitable share. Even now, three decades into his professional life, Lebo M noted that he frequently finds himself as the sole black individual present in professional settings. “I don’t think it’s because of tokenism,” he clarified, adding that his extensive experience validates his presence. Beyond his work on The Lion King franchise, he has also composed scores for films such as The Woman King, The Power of One, and Congo. He stated, “I don’t feel unwelcome, I don’t feel intimidated, I don’t feel like I don’t belong. But I know if I didn’t do what I do I wouldn’t be in that setting.” Although he grew up under apartheid and was influenced by racist ideology, he mentioned that he did not encounter direct racism until he arrived in the US. “I was born into apartheid. That means, I don’t know what it is like to be in a ‘multiracial environment’ until I got to America,” he recounted. Now aged 64, Lebo M contemplates his legacy and the insights gained from musical luminaries he encountered during his exile, including Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba – two foundational figures in South Africa’s musical heritage. He revealed that despite their immense achievements, their financial legacies did not correspond with their global prominence, particularly towards the end of their lives. This pattern is common among many African musicians who, regrettably, passed away in poverty. While he has learned from their errors, he acknowledges that true success extends beyond commercial gain, encompassing “personal fulfilment,” which he has discovered through his work on The Lion King. Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafricaCopyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.