Kunda & Friends, the animated children’s media series created by award-winning London-based children’s media company Kunda Kids, made its debut at a celebrity party, and it couldn’t have been more fitting for the brand.

The colourful, Afro-inspired universe of Kunda & Friends was brought to life as the central theme for Grammy-award winning icons Ashanti and Nelly’s son KK’s first birthday in New York.

The celebration transformed the venue into a vibrant Kunda & Friends wonderland, bursting with Afro-inspired colour, life-sized character installations, a bouncy castle, and immersive entertainment straight from the show’s joyful universe. It marked the first time the brand headlined a celebrity event, cementing Kunda & Friends as a rising force in culturally rich, globally relevant children’s entertainment.

To bring the celebration to life, Kunda Kids and Ugandan studio Creatures Animation created a bespoke episode titled Happy Birthday KK. It marks the first time the world meets baby KK, and sees global music stars Ashanti and Nelly reimagined in the iconic Kunda and Friends style. The episode premiered as a surprise for guests and is now available on the Kunda & Friends YouTube channel.

Ashanti said: “As a mom, I’m really intentional about what KK is exposed to. Kunda & Friends is not just beautiful and educational, it’s rooted in culture and storytelling that matters. Watching my son light up seeing himself in that world was magical. This is the kind of content I want him to grow up with, and I am so thankful that Louisa and her team at Kunda Kids could make it so special.”

The episode introduces KK as a new character in the Kunda universe, designed using a rare image of Ashanti and Nelly’s son, and brought to life by Kunda Kids’ in-house studio, Creatures Animation. The episode includes Kunda characters attending KK’s birthday bash with Ashanti and Nelly, also as characters in the episode too, with Ashanti wearing a t-shirt saying KK’s Mom.

Louisa Olafuyi, Co-founder and COO of Kunda Kids and co-creator of Kunda & Friends, said: “This is really a full-circle moment for us. From receiving a message from Ashanti’s team to creating a custom episode and seeing KK as a Kunda character on screen, it all came together in a matter of weeks. Watching the animation premiere at the party, surrounded by music, culture, and so much love for KK, was everything Kunda & Friends stands for – celebrating identity, joy and belonging in a really positive way. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of KK’s first birthday, and wish him a lifetime of happiness.”

The guest list included creatives, artists from the entertainment world, including LL Cool J and singer Lloyd, as well as friends and family. Children were treated to musical activities, cultural storytelling, and personalised gift boxes filled with Kunda Kids goodies, including books, merch and keepsakes.

With a growing library of books, merchandise and party packs, as well as music and animation that centres around African stories and values, Kunda Kids continues to redefine what inclusive children’s media looks like. The success of this first high-profile celebration signals just the beginning for Kunda Kids as a globally recognised brand on the rise.