The man who took on Disney: Owen Dean on the legal battle behind 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'

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If you missed it on Monday morning on East Coast Breakfast, Darren, Sky, and Carmen spoke to Owen Dean, the legal expert who fought for justice in the famous copyright case behind “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” He’s also the author of Echoes of Injustice: The Story behind the Epic Song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and the Battle of Reparation.

A powerful true story of legal triumph and cultural justice that transformed tragedy into hope. When South African musician Solomon Linda composed "Mbube" - the song that would become the global phenomenon "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" - he unknowingly signed away his rights to a fortune. For decades, his family remained in poverty while his creation generated millions worldwide.
4 Aug 2025 1AM English South Africa Society & Culture · Daily News

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