Filipina Singer Shaira Accused Of Plagiarizing Lenka’s “Trouble Is A Friend,” Fans Claim Discrimination

There are mixed reactions.

Australian singer-songwriter Lenka Kripac took legal action against Filipina “Bangsamoro pop” singer Shaira‘s viral song “Selos” due to copyright concerns. Despite an outcry from fans, it was quickly removed from all streaming platforms.

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Lenka | @lenkamusic/Instagram
Screenshot 2024-03-21 at 8.14.56 AM
Shaira | Facebook

The latter’s record label, AHS Channel, released a statement apologizing to listeners and sharing their intention to secure a license to make “Selos” an official cover of Lenka’s “Trouble is a Friend.”

The issue was first made known after a netizen informed Lenka through Instagram about the similarity of “Selos” to her famous song. She responded that they were taking legal action on it, and soon after it was taken down on all streaming platforms.

Filipinos had mixed reactions to the news. On one hand, they claimed Lenka’s actions were fueled by discrimination. One controversially stated, “Stealing from white people is okay. I hope you get it.

They added that many songs are sampled from existing music but do not get taken down.

However, on the other hand, netizens pointed out that Shaira and her team were fully aware that they were sampling “Trouble is a Friend” but decided not to proceed with the proper legal course.

 

Stealing and making a profit from someone else’s copyrighted music is wrong,” they firmly stated.

Finally, netizens called it “very alarming” that Filipinos were attacking Lenka on her Instagram post.

Meanwhile, Shaira released a statement asking fans to refrain from sending hate messages to Lenka as her team is simply doing what is right.

Source: GMA

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