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

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.

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.“

nakakainis teh kasi these white people dont give a shit about copyright not until someone from an indigenous region makes money out of it

STEALING FROM WHITE PEOPLE IS OKAY SANA GETS NIYO https://t.co/yvspAte1Pk

— jab (@kitecapitalism) March 20, 2024

waiting for miss shaira's reputation era pic.twitter.com/mWVcVler6E

— miss scor (@scorsaguin) March 21, 2024

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

not defending shaira pero omg so much of music in the province are interpolated / sampled from existing music (look up ilocano, bisaya playlists in youtube u’ll know what i mean) idk why this one specifically got lashings?

— karina / from the river to the sea (@basedhutao) March 20, 2024

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.

Shaira’s team was fully aware that they were sampling Lenka’s song. They decided to upload it and profit from it without due credit. Is it right for Lenka to report it? Yes, that’s her song. Italian spaghetti analogy does not apply here unless they have a copypastaright. https://t.co/ZdmrcCcc4O

— rob, and? (@robismore) March 20, 2024

the fuck people defending shaira its not about her and her religion people. its about the 100% rights of the main owner basically piracy kung kayo kaya may kanta tapos ginamit lang without permission? eh diba magagalit kayo?

— Pebs (@febzcalibo) March 20, 2024

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

If Shaira is really that talented, she should produce her own song.

Bakit may pag defend sa mali? Stealing and making a profit from someone else’s copyrighted music is wrong.

No wonder bakit magnanakaw nakaupo sa pwesto. Kasi people like you tolerate stealing. https://t.co/UFhc3yxqVk

— Steven Daniel (@stibskii) March 22, 2024

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

The way Pinoys attack Lenka in her IG post to defend/promote Shaira is very alarming. pic.twitter.com/Rxn36LKrM5

— Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) March 19, 2024

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

Ayan ha, si Queen Shaira na mismo nagsabi. Wag na natin awayin si Lenka. We stan a mabait na kween! pic.twitter.com/dji7rubjBE

— Mayhem Milker (@MxNoelle) March 22, 2024