Lebo M, the Grammy award-winning composer best known for his work on Disney’s “The Lion King,” has successfully settled his tax issues with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), allowing him to resume travel to the United States. This development follows a tumultuous period during which his passport was revoked by the U.S. consulate general due to a “seriously delinquent debt”, this is according to ZiMoja.
In July of last year, Lebo M, whose full name is Lebohang Morake, was ordered to surrender his passport after receiving a notice from the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury regarding an outstanding tax bill. The consulate’s letter, obtained by ZiMoja, clarified that passport revocations occur only under specific circumstances, such as violations of American laws or significant tax delinquencies. The letter stated, “You may reapply for a passport once the Secretary of Treasury has certified to the U.S. Department of State that you have satisfied your tax obligation.”
Faced with this predicament, Lebo M turned to his longtime collaborator, the renowned composer Hans Zimmer. According to sources close to Lebo M, Zimmer provided a $1 million upfront payment to the U.S. authorities on Lebo M’s behalf, enabling him to settle his tax debt and reapply for his passport. This act of generosity allowed Lebo M to continue his international tours with Zimmer, with whom he has been performing across Europe.
The resolution of his tax issues was timely, as it allowed Lebo M to participate in a significant event last week: the 30th-anniversary celebrations of “The Lion King in Concert” at the Hollywood Bowl. The star-studded event featured performances by original cast members from the 1994 animated film, including Ernie Sabella, Nathan Lane, and Jason Weaver, along with special appearances by Jennifer Hudson and North West, Kanye West’s daughter.
When asked about his recent experiences, Lebo M chose not to comment on his tax situation. Instead, he reflected on the emotional significance of the concert, saying, “I don’t entertain gossip, but I can tell you the 30th-anniversary concert of ‘The Lion King’ at the Hollywood Bowl was a deeply personal and momentous occasion for me. It felt like coming full circle most magically.”
