Shaira Moro bares ‘peaceful’ talks with Lenka’s camp after copyright issue

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

Shaira Abdullah Alimudin, known by her stage name “Shaira Moro,” bared that a “peaceful” agreement was reached with the camp of Australian singer-songwriter Lenka, weeks after the Mindanao-based singer’s hit song “Selos” faced copyright issues.

Moro made headlines after her viral track was taken down from streaming platforms following copyright claims from Lenka’s camp, as the melody of “Selos” originally came from the latter’s 2008 song “Trouble Is A Friend.”

In a video on her Facebook page on Sunday, April 7, the Mindanao-based singer clarified that Lenka didn’t file a case against her and instead, agreements were made between both parties behind the scenes.

“Para maliwanagan ang lahat sa isyu na ‘to, walang kasong isinampa laban sa amin. Sa katunayan, naging payapa at mahinahon ang pag-uusap namin sa kampo ni Lenka at nauwi ito sa pagkakaroon ng kasunduan na pwede nang ilabas ang kantang ‘Selos’ sa online streaming platforms,” she said.

(To clarify the issue, no case was filed against us. We had a peaceful and amicable talk with Lenka’s camp which ended with an agreement that I can release “Selos” on online streaming platforms.)

The singer’s label, AHS Productions, said in a March 8 statement that a “cover license” was sought from Lenka’s camp amid the controversy.

Moro then confirmed that “Selos” will be released on streaming platforms at an undisclosed date, while pointing out the agreement was made for the betterment of other “Bangsamoro and Filipino” artists.

“Nais kong ihayag na malapit naming maibalik ang kantang ‘Selos’ kasabay ng iba pang kanta ng aming produksyon. Sana maging masaya na lang tayo kasi hindi lang ito para sa akin. Para rin ito sa mga kapwa kong Bangsamoro artists at kapwa kong Pilipino,” she said.

(I just wanted to announce that “Selos” will be reuploaded along with other songs from the agency. Let’s just be happy because this is not only for me. This is also for other Bangsamoro artists and fellow Filipinos.)

In the video, Shaira also expressed her gratitude to Lenka’s camp for the “smoothest transaction” amid the controversy.

“To my idol, Ms. Lenka, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you and your team for allowing me this opportunity. Thank you for the smoothest transaction, and I’m truly honored to communicate with an international artist like you,” she said.

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Moro also addressed critics in the video, saying she and her team made it a point to take necessary steps to solve the copyright controversy involving “Selos.”

“Napakalaki ng aking pasasalamat na maraming opportunity ang nagbukas para sa’kin mula nakilala ang kantang ‘Selos,’” she said. “Hindi maiiwasan ang problema lalo na’t aminado ako na hango lang po sa ibang kanta ang ginamit na melody sa aking awitin… meron ding nagsabi na hindi ako makabangon pagkatapos magsampa ng kaso ang original artist na si Lenka laban sa akin.”

(I have utmost thanks for the opportunities that opened for me after “Selos.” But problems couldn’t be avoided especially since I’m aware that its melody was based on a different song. Others told me that I wouldn’t move forward after the original artist Lenka filed a case against me.)

Despite the backlash, Moro said she and her agency opted to lay low to address the matter at hand.

“Sa kabila ng batikos, pinili naming manahimik para hindi humaba ang issue… humihingi kami ng konting paunawa. Ang inyong negatibong komento ay nagsisilbing paalala para mas lalo naming pag-igihan ang aming ginagawa,” she said. (Amid the flak, we chose to keep quiet so the issue wouldn’t drag out. We ask for your understanding. Your negative comments became a reminder for us to do better.)