Often labeled by the media as an "emo band", a sobriquet based on their image, Kudai is characterized by lyrics about transcendental topics for youth such as depression, domestic violence,[1] suicide, ecology, homosexuality and toxic relationships.

Pablo Vega, a Mexican producer and manager based in Chile, formed a children's group called "Ciao"[2] late 1999.

[3] Initially, the group included Nicole Natalino and Tomás Manzi, and later, Bárbara Sepúlveda, who auditioned, and replaced another girl who could not continue within the musical project.

Finally, the group was formed by the fourth member, Pablo Holman, who joined "Ciao" by a reference, because his father is a well-known musician from Chile and acquaintance of Vega.

The concept of "Ciao" consisted of a group of children each represented by a color –Pablo, blue; Barbara, fuchsia; Nicole, purple and Tomás, green – who performed Italian pop hits.

[4] Two singles from the album were promoted on Chilean radio stations, "Será Porque Te Amo" and "Mamma María", both of which contained its own music videos.

[5] 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 (native Chilean language) word kudau, which according to the bandmembers means "young worker."

In 2004 the group, now composed of four vocalists (Pablo, Tomas, Barbara, and Nicole), released its debut record, entitled Vuelo (Flight).

She left the group due to personal problems and months later, Natalino sued Kudai's manager Pablo Vega for misappropriation of her salary as a band member.

The album represented a drastic change in their style with a heavier sound and darker lyrics about anorexia, teenage pregnancy, drug addiction & suicide.

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.

The album was mastered at a 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.

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.

In August 2009, Kudai initially announced a 2 year hiatus, allowing its members to involve in solo projects and go to college, denying any rumours about the band disbanding.

[19] In 2021, they released their 5th album "Revuelo", which consists of re-recordings of some of their biggest hits through their history, celebrating their 20th anniversary, including "Sin Despertar", "Ya Nada Queda", "Escapar" and some of their most important songs in a modern synth pop style, moving away from their earlier pop rock sound and dark aesthetics [20] In July 2024, Kudai announced through their Instagram page that they were reuniting with ecuadorian singer Gabriela Villalba after 14 years of not performing with her, becoming a 5 people group for the first time in their career.

They were created by Alexis Núñes Oliva, Executive Producer of Ritmoson Latino, the Mexico-based music television channel through which the awards are broadcast each year.