Lebo M: The township dreamer who gave the world its anthem

Neatly trimmed hedges border a path at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town. Lebo M emerges, smiling as he strides over. He apologises for keeping me waiting. As he settles into the wrought iron chair next to me, he grins and says “Good luck.”

The man whose name is synonymous with global success — awards include an Emmy and a Grammy — sits comfortably, sipping an Americano. Lebo M leans back, at ease. 

“I’m just a regular township boy,” he begins. “I wake up and think about the next three or five things I need to do. And as I’ve gotten older, I've been able to reflect on my journey and I’m beginning to appreciate it.”   

As the creative force behind the iconic Zulu chant “Nants’ Ingonyama” — the introduction to Circle of Life which translates as “here comes a lion” — he’s often described as the voice and spirit of The Lion King. Like Simba, who was exiled from his kingdom, Lebo M’s journey to international acclaim mirrors Simba’s path of self-discovery and eventual return to the pride. While Simba fled into the wilderness to escape responsibility, Lebo M left the harsh realities of apartheid Soweto, finding refuge in Lesotho before making his way to Los Angeles.

Born in Soweto in 1964, Lebohang Morake’s early years were steeped in the hum of township life, marked by extreme poverty and hardship. Music had always been a constant in his life, and by the age of nine he began his musical journey in a youth band. By 14, he graduated to performing at the infamous Pelican nightclub, where he was the youngest singer on stage, before going into exile at the age of 16 in 1979.

Messed-up society

“I was born into a really messed up society, brought up in an extremely poor family, probably the poorest in my street and... Well, when you’re born hungry and grow up hungry, you have only two choices, live or die. I love living,” he says.

Lebo M’s life in exile was tough. Arriving in Los Angeles with little money and no connections, he worked as a dishwasher to make ends meet while studying music, honing his craft and observing the global music industry. This unlikely chapter prepared him for a breakthrough that would change his life. While studying at Los Angeles City College, Lebo M met Hans Zimmer through Hilton Rosenthal, producer for Johnny Clegg. Working as an intern, teaboy and runner, he was recommended to Zimmer, who at the time was working on The Power of One. Lebo M went on to co-produce, co-write and perform on the film’s soundtrack, paving the way for his iconic role in The Lion King.

In the early 1990s, a call from Zimmer led to his breakthrough. Disney was looking for an authentic African voice to help shape a new animated film, The Lion King. 

It became a global phenomenon, one of the most beloved animated films of all time. In 2024, marking its 30th anniversary, the film was celebrated with special events worldwide, including a glitzy gala in Los Angeles. Lebo M took centre stage at the Hollywood Bowl’s celebration of the film. The event featured a star-studded lineup, including Jennifer Hudson, North West, and celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, and South African artists Boity and Zakes Bantwini.

These events underscored the global impact of The Lion King, with Lebo M’s contributions remaining central to its legacy.

He’s come full circle and now that he’s back in South Africa, Lebo M can barely contain his excitement for what lies ahead.

“I’ve had many of these kinds of dreams, but not centred on me in this way. I’m actually launching my first concert. It freaks me out a bit. It’s a combination of excitement and anxiety,” he says.

The day before we met, the composer and producer was joined by members of the Ndlovu Youth Choir and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra to announce a dream project. In a ballroom at the Mount Nelson Hotel, champagne flowed, guests were treated to a sushi bar, a smorgasbord of canapés and a charcuterie board that a deity would approve of.     

Goosebumps rippled through the room as Lebo M sang Nguwe, a Xhosa song dedicated to his mother. Then the room of no more than 50 people joined in perfect harmony as he belted out Nants’ Ingonyama.

This spellbinding performance was followed by the announcement that in April he would be staging his first-ever live show at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town. The show will feature a global ensemble that includes the 45-piece Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, the 25-piece Soweto Spiritual Choir and the Ndlovu Youth Choir. Joining the line-up are singer-songwriters Nkosinathi Shabalala and Refi Sings. The showcase will feature his contribution to The Lion King movie and Broadway show, other highlights from his 40-year career, including The Woman King, The Power of One and new music from his upcoming album.

“Whether it’s an audience of 2,000 or 100,000 people or the intimate audience we had last night, I feel a personal reward when I see people smile because of what I’m doing and what I do. That’s what gives me joy.”

For Lebo M the last four decades have been about the music and the movies. While the M in his moniker stands for Morake, it could easily stand for makoti or marriage. The man known for bringing the African spirit to Broadway has also garnered headlines for his tumultuous love life, with marriages that read like plot twists in a soap opera.

He has walked down the aisle no fewer than five times — each union as headline-grabbing as the last. His rollercoaster romantic life has been marked by high-profile break-ups, reconciliations, and more than a few eyebrow-raising moments. In interviews, he’s been candid about his complicated relationships, admitting that his success has often been both a blessing and a curse when it comes to love. 

A reality

“I don’t even like talking about it, but it is a reality. The world is huge, then there’s this little place called South Africa and it has a personal intimate interest in my bedroom life. Does it annoy me? Yes, when it supersedes what Lebo M has accomplished as a South African and as an artist, it is annoying, but home is home. Nobody asks me anything when I’m in New York, Australia and Japan, or anywhere in the world. How’s your personal life? How many times you were married? Nobody gives a f**k,” he said.

Among his former wives are Angela Ngani-Casara, Vivica Gibson and Nandi Ndlovu. Most recently, he married businesswoman Pretty Samuels in 2022, a union that ended just a year later in a tumultuous break-up.

In his 2021 reality series, Lebo M: Coming Home, viewers got an unfiltered glimpse into his private life, where tensions between him and Angela unfolded on screen.

Without going into too much detail, he said 2023 was “very traumatic, there was no peace in so many ways” and, having made it through 2024, which he hailed as “magical”, the composer is gearing up for an eventful 2025 with the launch of his biography in February, aptly titled Against All Odds.

Soweto might be home and it’s where his heart is but it’s south central Los Angeles that made him the man he is today, where he dreamt of the things he now has in some of the worst ghettoes in LA.

Lebo M turned 60 in July.

“I’m from the streets,” he says. “Failure is not an option and success is a perception for me. So I know how to wake up and dust off and let’s go. I'm nowhere near a success in my career and in my personal life, which also drives me. My first concert will be the beginning of the foundation towards success for me.” 

From Soweto to the world stage, his journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless passion. It mirrors the timeless tale of a king’s return — not to a throne, but to his true purpose. As he prepares for his first live concert, Lebo M stands on the cusp of yet another chapter — proof that the man behind the chant isn’t just celebrating his past but composing the next triumphant note in his extraordinary symphony.