Lebo M Celebrates 21 Years of Sobriety, Reveals He Went to Rehab 3 Times

• Lebo M marked a major personal milestone and revealed on social media that he had been sober for 21 years
• The Lion King composer shared a heartfelt message, expressing gratitude that he was able to make it that far
• He had previously opened up about how alcohol severely damaged his productivity, career and personal life, revealing that it sent him to rehabilitation three times

Legendary South African composer Lebohang "Lebo M" Morake celebrated a significant milestone on 21 August 2026, marking 21 years of sobriety. The Lion King musician shared this achievement while working from home, expressing deep gratitude for his transformative journey since choosing sobriety in 2005 at the age of 41.

"Working at my home desk, I just realised I am 21 years SOBER TODAY (since Aug 21, 2005), humbled and feeling blessed."

Lebo M's battle with alcohol

Morake has previously been candid about just how destructive his relationship with alcohol was. He has spoken openly about alcohol and women being his two greatest vices, and how choosing sobriety helped him reclaim both his mental clarity and professional focus.

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In a 2021 interview with Mail and Guardian, when he had been sober for 16 years at the time, Morake described his struggle as a genuine "battle" that pushed him into rehabilitation on three separate occasions.

"Due to my battle with alcohol, I ended up in rehabilitation three times. In 2006, I came out of rehabilitation in Los Angeles," he told the publication.

How sobriety changed Lebo M's life

The change in his day-to-day life has been dramatic. Where late nights at clubs and cigar lounges once defined his lifestyle under the "work hard, play hard" philosophy, his priorities have since shifted entirely toward family.

"Before I stopped drinking, I would stay out all night at a club or cigar lounge - it was work hard and play hard. Now that I'm sober, I enjoy spending time with my kids and annoying them when I drive them to school."

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Two decades on, Morake continues to stand as a testament to what choosing sobriety can do for a career and a life. The composer, best known for his iconic contributions to Disney's The Lion King soundtrack, remains one of the most celebrated musical voices to come out of South Africa.

See Lebo M's post below.

Lebo M pays emotional tribute to late son

In an earlier report, Briefly News shared Lebo M's touching tribute message to his late son.

He took to his social media page with an emotional post, reflecting on the impact of his child's passing.

Source: Briefly News