Karma's World

Karma's World is a computer-animated musical comedy streaming television series created by Chris "Ludacris" Bridges which premiered on Netflix on October 15, 2021.[1]

Karma's World
Genre
Created byChris Bridges
Based onThe Karma's World educational website created by Ludacris
Directed by
  • Boronagh O'Hanlon
  • Pete McEvoy
Voices of
Ending themeWelcome to Karma’s World (instrumental)
Composers
  • Marcus Meston
  • Matt Mahaffey
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Indonesia
  • Canada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes23
Production
Executive producers
  • Vince Commisso
  • Cathal Gaffney
  • Wendy Harris
  • Darragh O'Connell
  • Angela Santomero
  • Jennie Stacey
Producers
  • Danielle Gillis
  • Lorraine Morgan
  • Lisa O'Connor
Running time13 minutes (per episode)
Production companies
Animation servicesBrown Bag Films (Bali)
Distributor9 Story Distribution
Release
Original networkNetflix
Picture format1080i HDTV
Audio formatStereo
Original releaseOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15) –
present

Produced by 9 Story Productions and the Bali studio subsidiary of Brown Bag Films, the series is based on an educational website of the same name created in 2009 by Karma’s World Entertainment, a consortium created by Ludacris specifically for his eldest daughter, Karma Bridges, whose name and inspiration he cited in interviews as the core reason behind his creation of the series.[2] Netflix renewed Karma's World for a second season, which premiered on March 10, 2022.[3]

Premise

The series follows the story of Karma Grant, a young girl who begins middle school and learns that through her music she can stay "true to herself" instead of letting challenges push her down.[1]

Characters

Main
  • Karma Grant (Asiahn Bryant[4]): The series' main 10-year-old female protagonist. She is an aspiring musician who is beginning to realize the power that music and words can have, and believes that she can share her music and even change the world.
  • Keys Grant (Camden Coley[4]): The little brother of Karma.
  • Alex "Switch" Stein (vocals by Aria Capria[4] and beat-box vocals by Kaila Mullady[4]): The female best friend of Karma and Winston who is thoughtful and friendly. She is a gifted violinist and beatboxer.
  • Winston Torres (Isaia Alvarez Kohn[4]): The male best friend of Karma and 's friends, an artist, and a videographer.

Supporting
  • Lillie Carter-Grant (Danielle Brooks[4]): The mother of Karma advises her daughter and lets her know about hair styles of their Black women ancestors.
  • Megan (Olivia Chun[5]): Karma's friend who goes to one of her sleepovers.
  • Sabiya (Swayam Bhatia[5]): Another of Karma's friends who comes to a sleepover.
  • MC Grillz (Jordan Fisher[4]): A famous rapper who is the host of "Freestyle Knockout", a popular rapping competition.
  • Crash Watkins (Ramone Hamilton[4])

Episodes

Series overview
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
115October 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
28March 10, 2022 (2022-03-10)

Season 1 (2021)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byRelease date
11"I Am Karma"Bronagh O'HanlonKellie R. GriffinOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)

Karma starts her first day at Peachtree Middle School. While there she meets someone who loves music as much as her and someone who mocks her name.

This episode originally premiered on October 4, 2021 on YouTube.[6]
22"Daddy Daughter Day"Bronagh O'HanlonKeion JacksonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Karma is conflicted on whether to go to the concert of a well-known rapper or go an activity with her father that she now feels she is too old for.
33"Hair Comes Trouble"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKellie R. Griffin & Halcyon PersonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
After she has a sleepover with her classmates, Karma thinks she should change her hair. Her mom tells her that she should love her curly natural hair instead.
44"Major Disaster"Bronagh O'HanlonKeion JacksonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
The dog of Keys and Karma goes missing in the park. She rallies the neighbors to find her dog.
55"This Is for My Girls"Bronagh O'HanlonAlyson PiekarskyOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
When a classmate says something harsh to Karma, she begins to have doubts before she is about to show off her rap skills.
66"Best Friends for Never"Bronagh O'HanlonKeion JacksonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Karma makes a realization: that hasn't been as nice to Winston as she could have been. Winston, on the other hand, thinks that someone else is replacing him as her friend.
77"Lost for Words"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion JacksonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Karma decides to face a person who swiped her journal and fight them in a rap battle.
88"Karma's Writer's Block"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion JacksonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Karma is overworked and stressed. She begins getting writer's block after making a promise to Switch.
99"Do the Write Thing"Bronagh O'HanlonKeion JacksonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Karma thinks she is a failure after the announcement of the winner of the Kids' Poetry Slam Jam winner. She changes her mind when Keys helps her learn a lesson.
1010"Switch's Secret"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion JacksonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Switch's secret skill is found out by her friends as she has trouble with admitting to her parents her true feelings about a performance she will have soon.
1111"The Hippity Hop"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion JacksonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Before the talent showcase at her school begins, they name Karma the hip hop captain. However, she worries what others will think of those she chose for her team.
1212"Freestyle Knockout"Bronagh O'HanlonKeion JacksonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Karma is invited onto a popular show to compete with others in freestyle rap, she forms a team with he friend Crash. However, in order to win she begins copying what the other teams are doing.
1313"The Legend of Lost Lyrics, Part 1"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion JacksonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
In order to make sure local record shop doesn't close, Karma and her friends attempt to fin a hidden treasure.
1414"The Legend of Lost Lyrics, Part 2"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion JacksonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Karma and her friends continue their search. In the process, Karma runs into someone familiar.
1515"Final Showdown"Bronagh O'HanlonKeion JacksonOctober 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Karma and Crash are working together, but begin competing in a freestyle battle. Karma tries to make sure the local record shop is not threatened.

Season 2 (2022)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byU.S. release date
161"Karma Goes to Work"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion Jackson & Charity L. MillerMarch 10, 2022 (2022-03-10)
Karma begins working at a recording studio run by Lady K. However, when she sees rap challenges posted by Tayla and Jayla, it distracts her from her work there.
172"We Dance Full Out"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion Jackson & Charity L. MillerMarch 10, 2022 (2022-03-10)
Following a dance audition, Carrie hurts Switch with negative comments, so Switch joins Karma and both work together to challenge a team led by Carrie in a music battle.
183"Love What You Love"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion Jackson & Charity L. MillerMarch 10, 2022 (2022-03-10)
Following her friend's comments, Karma hides that she likes a singer they mock until she meets someone who tells her to not hold back in what she loves.
194"Home Sweet Scone"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion Jackson & Charity L. MillerMarch 10, 2022 (2022-03-10)
Rude new people come to the town after scones by Chef Scott are featured in the local paper. Karma and her friends attempt to teach these newcomers to be respectful.
205"Winston's Worries"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion Jackson & Charity L. Miller & Alyson PiekarskyMarch 10, 2022 (2022-03-10)
Winston wants to be at the birthday of his grandmother no matter what but gets held back when trying to film another video. Karma tries to help him.
216"Rhyme O'Clock News"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion Jackson & Charity L. MillerMarch 10, 2022 (2022-03-10)
Karma, with her friends Winston and Switch, create a hip hop news report about their local neighborhood. When topics to report on dry up, Karma does whatever she can for it to continue, even if it means fabricating stories.
227"Karma For President"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion Jackson & Charity L. MillerMarch 10, 2022 (2022-03-10)
Karma begins running to be student president of Peachtree Middle School. When she begins saying "yes" to a lot of people, she starts to be overwhelmed.
238"Let the Good Times Grow"Bronagh O'Hanlon & Pete McEvoyKeion Jackson & Charity L. MillerMarch 10, 2022 (2022-03-10)
When the local department store puts the local community garden under threat, Karma works with her mom to save the garden.

Production

The series is produced by the Bali studio subsidiary of Brown Bag Films and Creative Affairs Group, both subsidiaries of 9 Story Media Group, and Karma’s World Entertainment, Ludacris' consortium/production company.[7][8] Apart from Ludacris, Vince Commisso, Cathal Gaffney, Wendy Harris, Darragh O'Connell, Angela C. Santomero, Jennie Stacey are also executive producers for the series, while Danielle Gillis, Lorraine Morgan, and Lisa O'Connor are producers. They are joined by Bronagh O'Hanlon as the show director and Elaine A. Lugo Herrera as art director. Additionally, the show's head writer is Halcyon Person.[2][4]

On October 13, 2020, Netflix announced the green-lighting of the series with a 40-episode order, each of which would be 11 minutes long.[9][10] The series was targeted at children who are 6-9 years old.[11] Ludacris also claimed that the show would "move hip hop culture forward" by showing young girls they can change the world with the tools at their disposal.[12]

On June 14, 2021, a sneak peek of the series was shown at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.[13] At the festival, Ludacris said he hoped that the show would be something that has a "a long-lasting impression" on children. Person, on the same panel, argued that the show, set in a fictional neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, said that the series includes a diversity of "hair texture and diversity of skin tones" in order to make sure all kinds of characters are celebrated, and argued that the series "models great behavior" for children.[14][15]

The official trailer for the series was released on September 23, 2021.[16][17]

The show's first episode premiered on YouTube on October 4, 2021.[6]

The show's first season premiered on 15 October 2021.[18] All 15 episodes of the season premiered on the same day.[19] Before the show's premiere, Ludacris said that the show was inspired by his eldest daughter, Karma.[2][1] He also said that he tried to "make every single character unique" and hoped that his daughter would be able to guest star on the show in the future. He additionally said that having positive roles and "different ethnicities" he tool from the Fast & Furious franchise.[1]

In November 5, 2021, Ludacris told Billboard that the show had been "close to 14 years in the making" and hoped that would be a show for everyone, kids and adults. He said the he believed the series would change "young people’s lives for the better."[20]

On November 8, 2021, Person told Essence about how with Karma they tried to celebrate her hairstyle and everyone's, working "really hard to try and get right" in order to have "authentic storytelling." She also noted that she and writers she worked with collaborated to address microaggressions, working with an organzation named the Perception Institute, which analyzes people's perceptions as they’re watching media. She also praised Netflix for giving them the opportunity to tell these stories about Black culture.[5]

On March 10, 2022, the show's second season premiered on Netflix. All eight episodes premiered the same day.[3]

Music

The show's original music and sound design are supervised and created by Ludacris and James Bennett Jr., while Gerald Keys is a producer. Songs tackle issues such as discrimination, body positivity, self-esteem, friendship, family, and differences.[21][22][23] The show's theme song, "Welcome to Karma’s World", is sung by Asiahn, the voice actress for Karma.[24]

On September 14, 2021, Ludacris unveiled the show's soundtrack, which was released by Universal Music Group through its Def Jam label on the same date as the show's Netflix premiere.[25][26]

Merchandise

Books

In March 2021, 9 Story Media Group and Karma’s World Entertainment started a deal with Scholastic Corporation, with the books planned to be released between January and March 2022 to accompany the Netflix series. All three books were co-written by Person.[27] In an October 2021 interview, Ludacris noted that a Karma's World entitled Daddy and Me and the Rhyme to Be was coming out.[1] Apart from the aforementioned book, currently the juvenile fiction books The Great Shine-A-Thon Showcase, and Viral Video Showdown, and journal Karma's World Creativity Journal: Freestyling With Friends are listed on the Scholastic website.[28]

Toys

In April 2021, 9 Story and Karma’s World Entertainment signed a deal with Mattel to develop a toy line for the franchise, including dolls, "doll accessories," and other elements.[29] In March 2022, it was announced that the dolls would be released in the summer of 2022.[30]

Clothing

In February 2022, FIT's Design and Technology Lab (DTech) announced a deal with Karma's World Entertainment and 9 Story to create a 50-piece fashion set for children which was inspired by the series, including dresses, jackets, and footwear.[31] 9 Story called it a "unique partnership."[32] Essence called it a "fashion-forward" collection, while one of the designers, Hawwaa Ibrahim, said they were grateful for the opportunity to apply their skills.[33]

Other merchandise

9 Story and Karma's World Entertainment have announced planned expansions of the franchise beyond books, toys, and clothing. In November 2021, 9 Story noted that the franchise would be expanded to bags, backpacks, consumer electronics, skateboards, and other materials.[34]

Reception

The series has been received positively. Joly Herman of Common Sense Media described the series as "top-shelf", saying that it has "creative, fully fleshed-out characters" and has the characters artfully face "heartfelt, complex issues." Herman also argued that the series is "full of empowering moments" and said that it uses art to "inspire, empower, and elevate through storytelling," calling it an excellent series for "young tweens."[35] Claretta Bellamy of NBC News stated that the show's second season tackles challenges such as personal space and body shaming in a way that "both entertains and allows for kids to comprehend."[36]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
202153rd NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Children’s ProgramKarma's WorldNominated[37]
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)Ludacris – Karma's WorldNominated
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)Halcyon Person – Karma's WorldNominated

References
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  2. "Netflix Drops 'Karma's World' Trailer". Animation World Network. September 27, 2021. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  3. "Karma's World Season 2 Now Streaming on Netflix Worldwide!" (Press release). New York City: 9 Story Media Group. March 10, 2022. Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  4. Milligan, Mercedes (September 23, 2021). "Trailer: 'Karma's World' Brings a Positive Beat to Netflix". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  5. Brown, D'Shonda (November 8, 2021). "How Netflix's 'Karma's World' Addresses Microaggressions Black Girls Experience With Their Hair". Essence. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021.
  6. "Karma's World 'I Am Karma' Episode Now Available on Netflix Futures YouTube Channel" (Press release). New York City: 9 Story. October 4, 2021. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
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  37. Mekishana, Pierre (January 18, 2022). "2022 NAACP Image Awards Nominations: The Full List". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
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