Kudai

Chilean pop group Kudai originated in 2000 after a collection of youthful performers was gathered to honor Italian chart successes from the 1980s. Although the ensemble issued only a single recording, it attained modest commercial traction. The members then solicited outside song submissions while shifting focus toward original compositions in an effort to expand beyond their specialized audience. Their transformation reached completion once they replaced the name Ciao with Kudai, a term drawn from the Mapudungun language spoken by Chile’s native Mapuche people and signifying “young worker.” In 2004 the quartet of vocalists Pablo, Tomas, Barbara, and Gaby delivered their first album, Vuelo. A succession of hit singles propelled Vuelo to platinum-certified sales. The act’s ascent continued after it earned a Best New Artist nomination at MTV’s Latin American video music awards. During the following year Kudai issued their second album, Sobrevive, and composed the theme song for the network’s series Quiero Mis Quinces. That visibility produced further recognition when the group captured the Best Pop Artist prize at MTV’s Latin American video awards in 2006. Kudai maintain an enormous following among teenagers throughout Latin America.