Ihorere Rwanda is inanga musician Deo Munyakazi’s first song about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

On April 5, the singer posted the song’s video on his personal Youtube channel, accompanied with the caption.

"It’s been 25 years since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, more than a million Tutsi, were killed by Hutu extremists in only 100 days. Through this song, Ihorere Rwanda, I stand with all Rwandans to commemorate our lost families and continue building the nation as we give respect to our people.”

The singer said that he was only two years old at the time of the Genocide.

"I dedicated the song to all Rwandans who lost their loved ones during the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. I pay respect to them, and  tell all Rwandans to be strong, and rebuild our country so that Genocide never happens again,” he noted.

"There are many Rwandan music legends who were killed during the Genocide. They paid a great contribution to Rwandan society and left a legacy, people like Cyprien Rugamba. I came up with the idea of giving my contribution to my country during this commemoration as an artiste in my own way (inanga), and pay tribute to those legends and also give respect to all the souls we lost.”

The song’s audio was produced by Jimmy Pro, at Level 9 Records, while the video clip was shot by Xy Tilly.

Munyakazi has performed the song to warm reception at different commemoration-themed events, including at the Kigali Genocide Memorial on April 9, at an event dubbed, In Our Past; at a commemoration event at Kibagabaga Hospital on April 12, and at the commemoration night at the Impact Hub on April 13, among others.

editorial@newtimesrwanda.com