Kenya Doll returns: African American toy brand relaunches with "The Rockstar Madness Band"

This article is more than 12 years old and may not have been updated since our last site redesign. It may contain outdated information or could be missing images.

Back in 1992, the line of KENYA Dolls was released to massive success, delighting African American girls and quickly selling more than 4.8 million dolls. While the line had been dormant since 1996, Kenya is back, and like the original dolls, will be available in three skin tones – light, brown, and dark – allowing girls to find a doll they can say “looks just like me.” When the dolls officially relaunch next month, they’ll be available in three lines including “My First” (Newborns), “Kenya Classic” (3 years and older) and “Fashion Madness” (Tweens). The latter will have a live-action counterpart called THE ROCKSTAR MADNESS BAND.

kenya2
When I first caught the press release about THE ROCKSTAR MADNESS BAND this afternoon, I have to admit feeling a little nostalgic, recalling the BARBIE AND THE ROCKERS dolls my sister had when we were growing up in the 80s. With Kenya, the running theme is “Growing Up Proud, Just Like Me,” and that mantra is fittingly launched with the first music video to feature the grown-up Kenya (and an appearance of the dolls). Check out “Proud” below…

{source}{/source}

Here’s an excerpt from the official announcement:

Growing Up Proud, Just Like Me:

The original Kenya Doll is back! The authentic, African American doll steeped in rich cultural history and significance, is set to re-launch this November, backed by the Project Pride movement, a cultural initiative within the brand designed to foster respect, responsibility and positive growth within the Black Community; the “Proud” music video and CD single, which sends a positive and uplifting message to our youth, and the Rockstar Madness Band and Tour, featuring the grown-up doll characters transforming into real life recording stars, with Hannah Montana star Shanica Knowles as Kenya, Ryan McDaniel as TJ (Kenya’s boyfriend), Kia Hampton as Denise (Kenya’s best friend) and Jonathan McDaniel as Dwayne (TJ’s cousin). The Rockstar Madness Band will perform live, visit schools, conduct community events, and make in-store appearances to promote the Project Pride initiative, via their uplifting, fun and positive message. Kenya is clearly on a mission.

ROCKSTAR MADNESS TOUR DATES:
November 12 & 13 Chicago
November 14 & 15 Detroit
November 16 & 17 Indianapolis
November 19 & 20 New York
November 21 – 23 Philadelphia
November 24 – 28 Baltimore/Washington, DC
November 29 – 30 Atlanta

Check out http://kenyasfriendshipclub.com for more details and goodies!