Lebo M Biography, Profile, Age, Career, Education, Relationship
Lebo M Biography
Lebohang Morake, also known as Lebo M, is a talented South African producer and composer. He’s famous for his songwriting and vocals on the soundtracks of movies like The Lion King and Outbreak, as well as many stage productions. Disney got a recommendation about him from Hans Zimmer, the composer of The Lion King adaptations. Lebo M also formed and conducted the African choir that sang for the films.
Profile and Age
Lebohang Morake, also known as Lebo M, was born on July 11, 1964, in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. Despite having no formal music training, he left school at the young age of nine to perform in nightclubs. At just 13 years old, Lebo M recorded his first single, “Celebration,” for which he received a mere $20. He also made history by becoming the youngest performer to sing at Club Pelican when he filled in for a backup singer who couldn’t make it.
Career
In 1979, he decided to explore new opportunities and hopped on a bus to Maseru, Lesotho, where he heard about a new club opening up. Due to the apartheid system, he found himself in exile. At just 15 years old, Lebo M was working as a singer in the Victoria Hotel when he caught the attention of Lesotho’s Ambassador to the United States, Tim Thahane. Impressed by his musical talent, Thahane helped Lebo M apply to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts with the support of the TransAfrica organization. Starting off in New York, he played in restaurants and bars while being supported by Black churches to attend music school. When he turned 18, Lebo M made the move to Los Angeles to pursue his music career.
Role in Lion King
He not only wrote and sang the iconic Zulu chant at the beginning of the film, but he also contributed to the soundtrack of the sequel, Rhythm of the Pride Lands, and the direct-to-video sequel, The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride. His collaboration with Zimmer brought a magical touch to the music.
The duo’s musical talent was so impressive that Disney approved an additional soundtrack album called “Rhythm of the Pride Lands,” which included extra compositions. The original soundtrack of The Lion King, featuring the compositions selected for the theatrical release, earned the composers a Grammy Award, while Zimmer won an Academy Award for Best Original Score. Lebo M also played a role in scoring The Lion King’s stage musical, creating new music and incorporating pieces from “Rhythm of the Pride Lands.” This incredible musical journey even garnered a nomination for Best Original Score at the 52nd Tony Awards in 1998. Lebo M’s passion for music extended beyond his collaborations, as he founded the Lebo M Foundation and Till Dawn Entertainment. On July 23, 2019, he delivered breathtaking performances of “Circle of Life” and “He Lives in You” at the opening ceremony of the 24th World Scout Jamboree. His talent continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world!
Education
Lebo M’s journey in the music industry started at a young age. When he was just nine years old, he made the bold decision to leave school and began performing in nightclubs.
Relationships
He’s been married four times and divorced three times. His first wife was Vivica Gibson, and they tied the knot in Los Angeles. His second wife was Nandi Ndlovu, and they got married in South Africa in 1992. They had four children together but unfortunately divorced in 2007. Lebo M’s third wife was Angela Ngani-Casara, and they had an interesting journey. They got married twice, first in 2008 and then again in 2016 after a brief separation. They had two children together but eventually divorced in 2017. After that, he was engaged to Mel Ntsala in 2019, but sadly they broke up in 2020.
Currently, Lebo M is married to Pretty Samuels, whom he tied the knot with in 2020. Their relationship has been featured on his reality show, Lebo M: Coming Home, which gave viewers a glimpse into their personal and professional lives, as well as their blended family of eight children from previous marriages.
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