Kudai
Kudai are a Latin Grammy Award-nominated Chilean pop group that was founded in Santiago, Chile. Its original members were Tomás Manzi, Pablo Holman, Nicole Natalino and Bárbara Sepúlveda Labra. In 2006 Nicole Natalino left the group citing personal reasons, and was replaced by Ecuadorian Gabriela Villalba. They released three albums in Latin America: Vuelo in 2004, Sobrevive in 2006 and Nadha in 2008.
With their debut single, Sin Despertar, which reached #15 at the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks, they received strong radio airplay in all of the Hispanic world. Sin Despertar was included in their album Vuelo, which was a worldwide success, reaching 3x Platinum status in Chile, Platinum status in Mexico, and selling over 500,000 copies worldwide.
They are well known for hit songs, such as Sin Despertar, Ya Nada Queda, Escapar, Déjame Gritar, Llévame, Tal Vez, Lejos De Aquí and Morir De Amor.
They also performed the theme song for Quiero Mis Quinces, a show for MTV Latinoamérica. "Quiero Mis Quinces" was also a hit in Mexico, reaching #7 there.
On November 2016, the band confirmed their return to the scenes with the original members.
Career
2000–2005: Ciao and debut album
The group began accepting song submissions and concentrating on performing original material in hopes of breaking out of its niche market. Their reinvention was complete after changing their name from CIAO to Kudai, which is derived from the Mapudungun word kudau, which according to the bandmembers means "young worker." In 2004 the group, now composed of four vocalists, released its debut record, entitled Vuelo. Thanks to a string of successful singles, Vuelo soon achieved platinum record status. The group began its steady climb to the top with a Best New Artist nomination from MTV Latin American video music awards for their music video from the first single "Sin Despertar", quickly escalated to the first places of Chilean music rankings. Soon, they released their second single, "Ya Nada Queda", which achieved great success as did their third single, "Escapar". Vuelo went platinum in August 2005.Kudai was nominated for Best Artist—Central Region and Best New Artist—Central Region in the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America 2005. They released their first DVD, which included their 2004-2005 Tour, in September 2005 called En Vivo - Gira 2004-2005. The album was released in Mexico in July 2006 with a different cover with the same tracks. The album sold more of 500,000 copies worldwide.
2006–2007: ''Sobrevive'' their second studio album
In 2006, they recorded their second album called Sobrevive released on June 15, 2006 this album debuted at #1 in Chile as one of the most sold albums of the year and gained the gold album status for selling over 15,000 copies. The album was released in 2007 in Mexico and sold more than 350,000 copies worldwide.This album was the last record on which Nicole Natalino sang. She left the group due to personal problems. After the departure of Nicole, Gabriela Villalba replaced her and re-recorded the album featuring Gabriela's voice; this was released on September 26, 2007 in Chile. The album represented a drastic change in their style with a heavier sound and darker lyrics about anorexia, teenage pregnancy, drug addiction & suicide.
The first single is "Déjame Gritar" which reached #1 in Chile and Argentina. The video of the single features Nicole before her departure and also hit the #1 spot on many music video channels and programs in Latin America and reached #1 on MTV Latin America's TRL Los 10+ Pedidos in Argentina and Top 20. She became a permanent member of the group, and now contributes to the group's excellent trajectory. The second single is "Llévame" and this performs at all Gabriela Villalba. The video also features the new member and it was filmed in the Andes in Chile. This version of the record was promoted in Latinamerica. In addition to replacing Nicole, the track listing also changed a bit. The song "Si He Tocado El Suelo" was removed and a new one titled "Tú replaced it"
They also performed the theme for the MTV Latin America's show, Quiero mis Quince. On October 19, 2006, the group won the MTV Latin American video music awards award for Best Central Artist and Best Pop Artist, which they dedicated to both their fans and Nicole. After the success of the group, they were invited to the Viña del Mar Festival on February 2007. On October 2, 2007 their released the first live album called .
2008–2010: ''Nadha''
Towards the end of 2007 they moved to Mexico to launch their international career and left Chile. Kudai closed their career in Chile when they played in the Festival de Viña del Mar, which was their last presentation in the country until now. Kudai has revolutionized punk and rock music in Latin America. They recorded their third studio album called Nadha. The album has 12 songs, of which six were written by producer Koko Stambuk. Three other songs are from producer Carlos Lara, who is considered to be the creator of RBD and has collaborated with musicians such as Lynda Thomas and Ricky Martin. Cathy Lean, from Chile, also wrote two of the album's songs. Kudai chose to interpret the songs of Alanis Morissette and her band's bassist Eric Avery. The album was mastered at an Los Angeles studio, Igloo Music, under the direction of Gustavo Borner, who has worked with well-known artists such as Diego Torres, Ricky Martin, Sin Bandera, Phil Collins, Plácido Domingo and N'Sync, as well as working on the motion picture soundtracks of Rush Hour 2, Miami Vice and Finding Nemo.Kudai band member Gabriela Villalba has said that this album is a turning point in Kudai's musical career:
"Now is the time that Kudai needs to show and prove many things because if we remain the same, we will be categorized as the teen band that will never grow. I feel that this third album is a very decisive stage for Kudai. We are going to fight to rid ourselves from the title of "the band that wants to be popular" and actually present good material."
Rumors say Kudai might be performing in World Peace One in 2008. The group might be playing in Berlin, Germany, though other sources claim they might be playing in Puerto Rico. They appeared also in one episode of Skimo and performed "Déjame Gritar". Their album Nadha made hit in stores on May 3, 2008 in Chile and released in the all Latin America in Mexico obtained gold certification for their sales. On May 12, 2008, Kudai premiered their new music video with the Mexican music group, RBD and Eiza González called "Estar Bien". The song is part of a campaign for obesity, anorexia, and bulimia awareness, and for being well, happy, and getting active in Mexico. The video shows the singers on a tour bus singing around Mexico City while citizens do various stretches and cardiovascular exercises. On August 5, 2008 the band will make debut in the United States market with their first album released there. On July 21, 2008 their second single of Nadha, "Nada Es Igual" was released in Latin America.
The album has been nominated for "Best Pop Album by Group or Duet" at the Latin Grammy Awards to be held at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on 13 November.
On January 2009, they released an exclusive single for Chile, called "Hoy Quiero" with moderate success. On January 22, 2009, they released as a single the song "Ladrando a La Luna" for the 2008 Disney's movie Bolt.
2016-present: Reunion
On November 2016, the band announced their comeback with the original line-up, as former member Nicole Natalino confirmed the reunion with their bandmates. They also confirmed the release of a new song recorded recently.Members
Current members
- Pablo Holman
- Bárbara Sepúlveda
- Tomás Manzi
- Nicole Natalino
Former members
- Gabriela Villalba
Discography
- Vuelo
- Sobrevive
- Nadha
- Laberinto
Tours