Raffi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Raffi
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Raffi in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Raffi Cavoukian |
| Born | July 8, 1948 Cairo, Egypt |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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| Years active | 1970s–present |
Raffi Cavoukian (born July 8, 1948), known to millions of fans simply as Raffi, is a famous Armenian-Canadian singer, songwriter, and author. He is best known for his fun and catchy children's music. Many people who grew up listening to his songs now share them with their own kids.
In 1992, The Washington Post called him "the most popular children's singer in the English-speaking world." Besides making music, Raffi is also an author and the founder of the Raffi Foundation for Child Honouring. This organization works to protect the rights and happiness of children everywhere. He also uses his voice to speak up for the environment and other important social causes.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Raffi was born in Cairo, Egypt. His parents were Armenian Christians who had to leave Turkey. His mother, Lucie, named him after a famous Armenian writer. Music was a big part of his childhood. His mother and father both loved to sing, and his father played the accordion.
In 1958, when Raffi was ten years old, his family moved to Canada and settled in Toronto, Ontario. His father, Arto, was a well-known photographer. His older brother, Onnig (known as Cavouk), and his younger sister, Ann, also became successful in their own fields.
Music Career
A Star for Children
Raffi started his career playing folk music in coffee houses. His life changed in 1974 when he performed for kids at a nursery school. He loved it, and the children loved him.
In 1976, he released his first album, Singable Songs for the Very Young. It was recorded in a friend's basement and featured simple folk instruments, mostly Raffi's voice and guitar. This album included songs that are still popular today, like "Down by the Bay."
Over the years, Raffi created many hit songs that children love to sing along to. Some of his most famous songs include "Bananaphone", "All I Really Need", and "Baby Beluga". He wrote "Baby Beluga" in 1979 after visiting a beluga whale at the Vancouver Aquarium.
After a short break from music, he returned to performing and recording. He is the president of his own company, Troubadour Music Inc. As of 2024, he continues to perform and release new music, including the album "Penny Penguin."
Singing for a Better World
Raffi also writes music for adults about important issues. His "Beluga Grads"—the generation of fans who grew up with his music—are often inspired by his messages. He sings about protecting the environment and making the world a better place.
- In 1990, he released an album called Evergreen, Everblue to raise awareness about climate change.
- In 2007, he recorded the song "Cool It" with scientist Dr. David Suzuki to encourage action on global warming.
- In 2019, he wrote "Young People Marching" to support the climate activist Greta Thunberg.
- In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he released "For All You Do" to thank frontline workers. The song featured the famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Advocacy Work
What is Child Honouring?
In 1997, Raffi created the idea of "Child Honouring." It is a philosophy based on the belief that respecting and protecting children can help solve many of the world's problems. It calls for a "revolution in values" where every part of society is redesigned to support the well-being of kids.
In 2006, he co-edited a book called Child Honouring: How to Turn This World Around. It features essays from many experts on how to create a better world for children.
Protecting Kids from Advertising
Raffi strongly believes that children should be free from commercial advertising. He has never allowed his music to be used in commercials that market products to kids. He has turned down many offers, including a movie deal for "Baby Beluga," because he did not agree with the advertising plans.
For his dedication, he has been called "Canada's all time children's champion." In 2006, he received the Fred Rogers Integrity Award for his work to protect children from marketing.
Making the Internet Safer
Raffi is also an advocate for online safety for children. After learning about the dangers of online bullying, he co-founded the Red Hood Project in 2012. This group works to make the internet a safer place for young people.
In 2013, he published a book called Lightweb Darkweb, which talks about the good and bad sides of social media and the internet.
Personal Life
Raffi was married to Deborah Pike from 1975 to 1991. He has been a vegetarian since 1980. For many years, he lived on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. He is also known for speaking out on political issues, especially when he feels policies might harm children.
Awards and Honours
Raffi has received many awards for his music and advocacy, including:
- Order of Canada (1983)
- Order of British Columbia (2001)
- Several honorary degrees from universities
- Fred Rogers Integrity Award (2006)
- Special Achievement Award at the SOCAN Awards (2000)
Selected Works
Here is a list of some of Raffi's albums, films, and books.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Singable Songs for the Very Young (1976)
- More Singable Songs (1977)
- The Corner Grocery Store (1979)
- Baby Beluga (1980)
- Rise and Shine (1982)
- Raffi's Christmas Album (1983)
- One Light, One Sun (1985)
- Everything Grows (1987)
- Evergreen Everblue (1990)
- Bananaphone (1994)
- Let's Play (2002)
- Love Bug (2014)
- Dog on the Floor (2018)
- Nursery Rhymes For Kinder Times (with Lindsay Munroe) (2022)
- Penny Penguin (with The Good Lovelies) (2024)
Compilations
- The Singable Songs Collection (1996)
- Raffi's Box of Sunshine (2000)
- Quiet Time (2006)
- Animal Songs (2008)
- Fun Food Songs (2013)
- Best Of Raffi (2017)
Filmography
- A Young Children's Concert with Raffi (1984)
- Raffi in Concert with the Rise and Shine Band (1988)
- Raffi on Broadway (1993)
Bibliography
- The Life of a Children's Troubadour (2000)
- Lightweb Darkweb (2013)
- Several children's picture books based on his songs, including Wheels on the Bus and Five Little Ducks.
