Lebo M.

Lebohang Morake (born 11 July 1964), known as Lebo M, is a South African producer and composer, known for his songwriting and vocal work on the soundtracks to films such as The Lion King, The Power of One and Outbreak and numerous stage productions. He was recommended to Disney by Hans Zimmer, the composer of both adaptations of The Lion King, and formed and conducted the African choir that sang for the films. Early life Lebohang Morake was born on 11 July 1964 in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. With no formal training in music, he left school at the age of nine to perform music in night clubs. Morake recorded his first single, "Celebration", when he was 13 years old, receiving only $20 for recording the record. When he was 13 years old, Morake became the youngest performer to sing at the nightclub Club Pelican, when he filled in for a backup singer who could not attend. Career Early career In 1979, Morake sought to broaden his horizons, so he left by bus for Maseru, Lesotho, after hearing that a new club was going to be opening there. In Maseru, due to the apartheid system, he was under exile. At 15, he was working as a singer in the Victoria Hotel in Lesotho when Lesotho's Ambassador to the United States Tim Thahane noticed him and appreciated his musical abilities. Thahane helped Morake apply to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, coordinating with the TransAfrica organization to send the singer to the United States. Morake lived at first in New York, again playing in restaurants and bars, and was supported by Black churches to attend music school. Morake moved to Los Angeles when he was 18 to pursue a music career. Start in Hollywood In Los Angeles, he struggled to make ends meet, working odd jobs to survive while studying at Los Angeles City College. He performed sometimes at Memory Lane, a nightclub owned by Marla Gibbs.