Shaira Moro to turn ‘Selos’ into ‘official cover’ as Lenka takes legal action

Shaira Moro (left) and Lenka. Image: Facebook/Shairaa Moro Singer, Instagram/@lenkamusic

The agency of Mindanao-based singer Shaira Moro announced that it would be securing a cover license for her viral hit “Selos,” after Australian singer Lenka said her team had taken legal action against Moro for using the melody of her song “Trouble Is a Friend.”

Lenka confirmed this in response to one @france.onz who called her attention regarding Shaira allegedly “claiming [her] song and earning from it,” as seen in the comments section of her Instagram post on March 8.

“We have taken legal action thanks,” she said.

Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@lenkamusic

Moro’s “Selos” was then removed from streaming platforms on Tuesday, March 19, hours after Lenka’s statement, which led netizens to speculate that it had something to do with the accusations.

The Mindanao-based singer’s agency AHS Productions then confirmed in an official statement that taking down “Selos” was a “voluntary act” due to a “pending agreement” with Lenka’s team to secure a “cover license” for the song.

“On behalf of our artist, Shaira, AHS Productions would like to convey our heartfelt apologies to all those who have enjoyed listening to the ‘Selos’ as it is now unavailable [on] all online streaming platforms,” the agency said.

“This is a voluntary act on our end as we are still making arrangements [concerning] the legality of the publication of the song. We have chosen to take it down from all platforms pending our agreement with the original artist’s management on securing a cover license for ‘Selos,’ AHS Productions added.

Image: Screengrab from Facebook/AHS Channel

Moro’s agency also confirmed in its statement that the melody of “Selos” indeed came from Lenka’s “Trouble Is a Friend.”

“As most of you may know, the melody that we have used is originally from a song entitled ‘Trouble is a Friend’ by Lenka and as of the moment, we are already in contact with her team for us to make “Selos” an official cover,” it said.

Despite this, AHS Productions thanked Shaira’s fans for “opening [their] hearts” to her viral hit since it was intended to be “made public” for “entertainment.”

“To those who have been entertained by Shaira’s cover song, we are truly grateful to you for opening your hearts to a song that we once only made public for the sake of entertainment,” it said.

The label also expressed its pride for Shaira, who was dubbed by netizens as the “Queen of Bangsamoro Pop” on social media, and hoped the “same love and acceptance” would be shown should it be reuploaded.

“We certainly did not expect that it [would] become this big to a point where Shaira will be known as the ‘Queen of Bangsamoro Pop.’ We could not be prouder,” it said. “We hope that when the time comes and we will be re-uploading the song, you will show her the same love and acceptance.”

AHS Productions also said in the comments section that Moro will be releasing “original music” soon.

“Anyway, Shairaa Moro Singer will be out with more original music soon so stay tuned for that,” it said.

Image: Screengrab from Facebook/AHS Channel

Moro was thrust into the spotlight after “Selos” became a viral hit on Tiktok, with netizens using her song as background music for funny edits and other content. She also released a music video for the song in December.