Mbongeni Ngema Gets Slammed by Lebo M for Claiming to Have Co-Written Songs in The Lion King

South African composer Lebo M slams his fellow media personality, Mbongeni Ngema for demanding accolades.

It all started when the veteran playwright said on the King David Mashabela podcast that he has a hand in Lebo M’s success story. According to him, he helped during the tour of the popular stage play turned into a movie, Sarafina. Also, he co-wrote some of the songs in The Lion King.

“I helped children of the people who had gone to exile at the time. Lebo M said he asked to be part of Sarafina, and I agreed to make him part of it,” said Ngema. “God gave me a candle to light for other people,”

Since the production of The Lion King, it has recorded a huge amount of success.  “In Lion King, I wrote Circle of Life with Elton John and Lebo M. The song Circle of Life won a Grammy Award,” the 68-year-old singer said.

“I earned a Grammy Award for that song, and I was stupid at the time because I asked for a flat fee, instead of asking for royalties. “Even if I asked for one dollar for that song (in terms of for royalties), I would have been a millionaire. But I didn’t know better. “I got paid well for that song,” said Ngema, looking a bit disappointed during the interview with King David.

Lebo M’s Response to Mbongeni Ngema’s Claim

Hearing this, Lebo M dismisses the claims. Saying that if Mbongeni had contributed to the song as he claimed, they would have given him his credit.

Lebo M went further to say Ngema is misleading people. “I don’t understand why Mbongeni Ngema, one of my heroes would just blatantly lie about my work and claim it,” he said.

Also, The Lion King Composer said Mbongeni is probably using his name to chase clouts “I get it, when people are trying to rebuild their careers the most convenient thing to do to get attention is use my name and brand, but this is beyond silly,”

Knowing Lebo, he has taken legal actions in respect to the allegations “This is now a legacy issue, we are considering our options with my legal team,” he added.