Simangele Legodi4 December 2024 | 6:00

Lebo M announces first-ever live performance and theater production in SA

Lebo M made the revelation at a media event in Cape Town commemorating the 30th anniversary of 'The Lion King'.

Lebo M announces first-ever live performance and theater production in SA

Renowned composer, singer, songwriter, and music producer, Lebo M, has announced that he will be staging his first-ever live show. Picture credit: Supplied

JOHANNESBURG - Renowned composer, singer, songwriter, and music producer, Lebo M, proclaimed that he would be performing live for the first time.

"My music is – and always will be – rooted in home soil," he stated. "I couldn't be more excited about staging my first live concert season in Cape Town next year " 

Lebo M made the revelation at a media event in Cape Town commemorating the 30th anniversary of The Lion King's debut. The event was conducted in advance of the global release of the film's prequel, Mufasa, in December.

Lebo M has had a significant influence on the world music landscape. He is well-known for creating, orchestrating, and performing the opening Zulu chant, "Nants' Ingonyama," of the timeless popular song, The Circle of Life, for The Lion King. He and fellow composer Hans Zimmer were awarded a Grammy for this work.

The Artscape Opera House in Cape Town will host Lebo M Live's production of The Voice & Spirit of Lion King from 11 April to 13 April 2025.

Lebo M will be accompanied by a worldwide ensemble, which consists of the Ndlovu Youth Choir, the 25-piece Soweto Spiritual Choir, and the 45-piece Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. Singer-songwriters Refi Sings and Nkosinathi Shabalala will also join the lineup.

Along with other highlights from his incredible 40-year career, such as The Woman King and The Power of One, the exciting career showcase will include new songs from his next album, as well as his ground-breaking contribution to Disney's The Lion King movie and Broadway production.

The world's perception and celebration of African music, and specifically South African music, has changed as a result of his innovative work on what has grown to be one of Disney's most beloved film masterpieces. His powerful chant served as both a cultural ambassador and a musical icon, introducing the globe to the diversity of African rhythms, languages, and storytelling.
 
He added that some unexpected South African guest performers would be included in the live onstage musical production which would be revealed soon.

Lebo M said that in addition to having a profound impact on people all around the world, "The Lion King's music continues to inspire local talent and the next generation of creators by providing an inspirational platform." That is the greatest legacy that could exist.
 
Tickets for this one-of-a-kind live musical production will go on sale on 9 December 2024.