Raffi (his real name) Cavoukian was born on July 8, 1948 in Cairo, Egypt. His family immigrated to Canada in 1958. He began his career as a Toronto-based singer/songwriter in 1970 and began performing for young children in 1974.
His first children's album, Singable Songs for the Very Young, was released in 1976, and is still his best-selling. Raffi has recorded a total of 13 albums and 3 concert videos. Sales in North America range from gold to triple platinum, and total over 12 million units.
Seven songbooks and fifteen picture books based on Raffi's music have been published - over three million copies are sold and in print.
Raffi has written a number of inspirational songs for parents, educators, children's advocates and older children. They include "Blessed Be," which is featured on the video Begin With Love, hosted by Oprah Winfrey, and "Counting On You," inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall.
Raffi's Covenant for Honouring Children, a poetic declaration of our responsibilities to children and the Earth, is being circulated widely through child advocacy and environmental health groups. An audio version, featuring the voices of Raffi, Dr. Jane Goodall and the Dalai Lama, is included on the Troubadour Foundation CD, Song for the Dalai Lama. Available online at www.rounder.com
This year, Raffi is devoting his energies to writing Child Honoring: How To Turn This World Around, an anthology promoting respect for the first years of life as the best way to create a humane and sustainable world.
I have such great memories of my mom driving me home from school with my raffi tape on and than pulling in the driveway and running in, pushing play on my raffi VHS and sit and watch it with my mom and dad. I can't wait till I have children of my own to share this with. Thanks for the memories! <3 Monica
I listened to you as a child, and played your inspiring music for my students while working at a preschool as an inclusions teachers, working with disabled students, the parents would come to me and sing a part of your song and say " my daughter was singing this all night long...what song is that?" ROCK ON RAFFI!
Raffi i love you haha, your music realli does make em smile, i duno why tho cos im 18 now and i've never heard thoes songs when i was little..but its werid really makes me smile , your a grape guy ! :D thats right GRAPE :D
Hi Raffi! We grew up on your music and love every song!! We had the privilege of meeting you last spring and you sang "grown-up belugas" to us...the highlight of our year, thus far! Cheers to you and musical adventures for all ages:) B&L
im 22yrs old right now, and i remember learning these songs in pre-k, i always sang them. Now i have nieces and nephews and i have taught them "apples and Bananas" its so AWESOME.COM.
Thanks for the add Raffi! I remember blasting Baby Beluga in the front room of the house I lived in when I was in kindergarden and my mom letting me roller skate on the carpet with this cheap set of plastic roller skates I had. I am now a junior in college and have two nieces that are listening to you! It takes me back to some of the best memories of my childhood! THANKS RAFFI! Lots of Love- Julie
Thanks for adding me as a friend! I loved your music when I was a kid. I thought my Mom was the coolest Mom ever because she knew all the words to all the songs and sang them all with me. Not I'm the Mom and my kids think 'Bananaphone' is the best song ever. Singing and laughing together is wonderful. Your music has made an impact on many children. Thanks!
I can't even begin to tell you how you influenced my childhood. Your just the best there is period! I still have a Raffi video and when my nieces & nephews come over, we always watch it a few times. They love you as much as I do! Thanks for all you do..
HEY RAFFI!!! Thanks for the add. I just found out my wife is pregnant and if it's a boy we're going to name him RAFFI!!! (And force him to listen to all of your music)
hey raffi man! thanks for the add. I don't think you were around when I was little (you were probably little too), but you have been a much-loved presence in my kids' childhoods and we sang your songs together all the time. happy memories! thank you for your integrity and kindness.
Im totally with what the girl below says.I grew up singing all your songs and now that I have my lil one hes going to remember doing the same.Thanks for the great entertaining music.
so i just replaced my ex boyfriend with you on my top 4. and i should've done that a long time ago because i grew up with you and you're not a liar =] thanks raffffi
Raffi, thank you so much for all the music you've put out over the years. When I was little, your music was all that was playing when I was in the car. Even for my younger siblings. My parents even loved your songs, and I think they still do today. Your music made me learn and laugh, and without it, I'm sure I wouldn't be the caring person I am today. Thanks again.
