Charly na Nina: What caused the sudden silence from Rwanda’s hitmaking duo?

• Charly na Nina were once Rwanda’s most successful female music duo, dominating the East African scene with hit songs and major collaborations. 
• But after management fallout and failed rebranding efforts, they faded into near silence. We trace their rise, fall, and uncertain future.

Over the years, we’ve been treated to some amazing music from various singing groups—however, one expectation that often accompanies these groups is that they will eventually split up. Sometimes these breakups are more contentious than expected, often stemming from financial issues and other factors. For girl groups, it’s typically related to men, but for Rwandan duo Charly na Nina, it was neither of those.

This group was made up of Rulinda Charlotte (Charly) and Muhoza Nena (Nina), and at one point, they had the East African Community dancing along. During a period when Rwandan music was thriving but largely male-dominated by artists like Meddy, The Ben, and Bruce Melodie, Charly na Nina represented the ladies.

They produced several hit songs, including “Owooma” and “I Do,” featuring Uganda’s Geosteady and Bebe Cool, respectively.

With the momentum they built, it seemed only a matter of time before they broke into the continental scene. Suddenly, their rise was halted, with many attributing it to their fallout with manager Alex Muyoboke.

If you weren’t a devoted follower of their music, it’s hard to remember that these artists even existed. For nearly five years, they’ve been largely absent from the spotlight, with no significant signs of a comeback. In 2022, they hinted at a return after reuniting, but they still did not meet expectations.

Former manager Muyoboke spoke about their split a few years back, expressing how tragic it was for not just the duo, but also for himself and the entire Rwandan music community.

“After parting ways with them, Rwandan music has suffered immensely. It’s tragic for them, their supporters, the producers, and for me as their manager. We shared many enjoyable moments, and I regret the current state of their music,” Muyoboke commented at the time.

It’s important to mention that Muyoboke was the CEO of Decent Entertainment, where the two artists were signed for five years. During this period, they achieved significant musical success and earned multiple awards. Yet, almost a decade later, they are far from the level of success they once experienced.

The duo decided to focus their musical endeavors in the United States two years ago after attending the Youth Summit in Kentucky. This decision came after discussions with The Mane Music Label’s CEO, Bad Rama.

However, Bad Rama’s expertise in the music industry has always been questioned. Notable musicians, including the late rapper Jay Polly, Safi Madiba, and Marina, have raised doubts about his capabilities, and it seems they were correct, as Charly na Nina’s career has yet to be revived.

Their latest release on their YouTube channel is “Lavender,” which came out three years ago. Their social media accounts are now managed under individual names, and they seldom mention their musical reunion.

The future for this once-popular girl duo remains uncertain, leaving us to simply keep an eye on the situation.