Shaira Releases New Single Titled ‘Selos na Yan Friend’
SHAIRA – The Queen of Bangsamoro Pop has dropped a fresh single unveiling her journey since gaining nationwide fame with her hit ‘Selos’ and the subsequent copyright disputes.
In her latest track, titled “Selos na Yan Friend,” released last Friday, Shaira took cues from her previous song “Selos” to subtly address her critics. The music video highlighted the charm of her hometown, Cotabato City, while Shaira flaunted her rap skills alongside local Bangsamoro artists.
Shaira’s new song garnered a mix of reactions from internet users. While many of her fans praised it, others questioned its originality. Reportedly, some users tried to find out if her new song was again borrowed from foreign artists.
To recall, Shaira faced criticism on social media when similarities were noticed between her song ‘Selos’ and ‘Trouble is a Friend’ by Lenka. Additionally, her song “Forever Single” was accused of resembling the Indonesian Band Papinka’s single “Masih Mencintainya,” and her track “Babaero” was similar to Siti Badriah’s “Lagi Shantik.”
These controversies led to her being labeled the “Queen of Copyright” by her critics. However, some of her fans argued that Shaira was unfairly criticized because of her Moro background, suggesting she might not face such scrutiny if she were an artist from Manila.
Meanwhile, Bangsamoro Pop refers to a genre of music originating from the Bangsamoro region in the Philippines. It combines elements of pop music with influences from the cultural heritage and traditions of the Bangsamoro people, who predominantly reside in Mindanao and nearby islands. Bangsamoro Pop often incorporates traditional instruments, melodies, and themes into contemporary pop music, reflecting the unique cultural identity of the Bangsamoro community. Artists within this genre may sing in local languages, such as Maguindanaoan, Maranao, Tausug, or other languages spoken in the Bangsamoro region.