Raffi

Raffi Cavoukian started making music for children in the late 1960s with his debut album 'Singable Songs for the Very Young.' Born in Cairo, Egypt, he moved to Canada as a child where his father, an Armenian musician, introduced him to folk traditions. His early work had a gentle, acoustic quality that felt different from most children's entertainment at the time.

Songs like 'Bananaphone' and 'Baby Beluga' became staples in homes and classrooms, mixing simple melodies with environmental themes and wordplay. He recorded 'Shake My Sillie's Out' and 'More We Get Together,' songs that encouraged movement and community in a way that felt natural rather than instructional. The music wasn't flashy or overproduced, just Raffi's voice and guitar, sometimes with light accompaniment from musicians like guitarist Sam the Owl or keyboardist Louise Forsyth.

In the 1990s, Raffi's support for the BDS movement drew criticism and accusations of anti-Semitism, which he said stemmed from his views on peace and justice rather than prejudice. His approach stayed consistent over decades, songs about friendship, nature, and silliness, delivered with a calm, inviting tone that parents didn't mind hearing on repeat.