The history of the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
Although it became a worldwide hit, media companies including Disney, kept the song’s original creator, South African musician Solomon Linda, from receiving any of the profits.
“The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was actually written by a South African singer, Solomon Linda, in 1939. The song was originally called “Mbube,” which referred to the struggle of the black majority against apartheid.
In the film, a reporter locates the family of Solomon Linda and tries to help them fight for fair compensation. A legal case was initiated against Disney on behalf of the family, who finally received some compensation in 2005. The family continues to live in poverty in South Africa.
The Lion’s Share was released in 2019 on Netflix.
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