Nyiranyamibwa Suzanne disclosed in an exclusive interview with InyaRwanda that her song was removed from the Ibihangange YouTube channel, which boasts over 32,000 subscribers, after being uploaded without authorization on October 16, 2025.
The song had garnered positive feedback from fans of Ibihangange when it debuted on July 22, 2025. During that time, Ibihangange collaborated with Ruti Joel on their hit song, "Ngwino Mama."
In a prior discussion, Suzanne disclosed that Ibihangange informed her of their intentions to rework her song, "Ni muberwe bakobwa."
She shared, "We talked about it, and they mentioned they’d use 'Ni muberwe bakobwa' for performances at events like weddings and ceremonies. I didn’t foresee any issues even if it brought them financial gains."
However, she later discovered that Ibihangange had fully remade her song, featuring Butera Knowless, and uploaded it to their YouTube channel without her consent or any prior notification.
She continued, "It was shocking to find out they released my song on YouTube, complete with audio and video, without consulting me for approval. This led me to contact YouTube directly, and they intervened."
Nyiranyamibwa Suzanne expressed that she remains open to negotiations: "I am ready to discuss terms with Ibihangange, but they must adhere to the conditions I set to move forward with the song."
The artist further voiced concerns regarding other singers who remake her music without authorization. She emphasized, "Taking action is crucial as intellectual property is a treasure that requires safeguarding."
Efforts to obtain comments from Ibihangange regarding this issue have proved unsuccessful for InyaRwanda.
Creating a cover song—reinterpreting another artist’s work—is common in the global music scene. This process, however, mandates adherence to copyright regulations. Obtaining permission from the original creator, typically the songwriter or associated record label, is essential before proceeding with such remakes.
In certain countries, royalty payments to the copyright owner are required for covers. Additionally, platforms like YouTube impose rules to give proper credit to the original creator in such releases.
Global cover song regulations:
Artists secure "mechanical licenses" to legally produce covers. On YouTube, creators can utilize its licensing system to ensure revenue generated from views is allocated to the rightful owner.
Live performances of covers at events or radio broadcasts often require payment via organizations like ASCAP and BMI in the United States.
Copyright protection for musicians in Rwanda:
In Rwanda, as elsewhere, songs are a musician’s intellectual property. Unauthorized remakes breach copyright laws and may result in demands for removal or legal compensation.
Nyiranyamibwa Suzanne stated that she requested the removal of her song after discovering it was reworked without her official consent.
Ibihangange previously expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Butera Knowless on Suzanne's remade song, "Ni muberwe bakobwa."
YouTube logs reveal that on October 16, 2025, Nyiranyamibwa Suzanne initiated the song’s removal from the platform.
