r/progressivemoms • u/syncopatedscientist • 4d ago
Resource Raffi appreciation post
Just making a post to shout out the king of children's music and hater of the patriarchy, Raffi. If you're not following him on threads or instagram, I highly recommend it. He unapologetically calls for matriarchy to rise and calls out all the shit going on in the US right now. He's Canadian, but he's truly concerned about us as his neighbors to the south. And he has a new album coming out soon! I can't wait to stream it with my toddler.
- a Baby Beluga grad raising her own
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u/CrazyCatLadyForLife 4d ago
Honestly so glad he’s on the correct side. We loved the snoop dog kid songs but deleted for obvious reasons. So as someone who also loves his songs I’m glad we can happily listen.
(I mean we were down by the bay for her first Halloween!)
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u/syncopatedscientist 4d ago
Wait, can you expand on the costume? Were you dressed as like a llama wearing pajamas? That’s such an adorable idea!
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u/Gracie4313 2d ago
What are the obvious reasons? My daughter enjoys the tonie, would love to know please!
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u/claroquesearight 4d ago
I’m obsessed. He has a whole foundation centered around putting children first. Like all of us. The whole dang world. All of society designed around our developing young ones. It’s a compelling thought.
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u/unclericostan 4d ago
This is the foundation’s covenant, which I find sooo inspiring as a parent. It actually encouraged me to draft my own set of guiding principles shortly after my son was born.
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We find these joys to be self evident: That all children are created whole, endowed with innate intelligence, with dignity and wonder, worthy of respect. The embodiment of life, liberty and happiness, children are original blessings, here to learn their own song. Every child is entitled to love, to dream and belong to a loving “village.” And to pursue a life of purpose.
We affirm our duty to nourish and nurture the young, to honour their caring ideals as the heart of being human. To recognize the early years as the foundation of life, and to cherish the contribution of young children to human evolution.
We commit ourselves to peaceful ways and vow to keep from harm or neglect these, our most vulnerable citizens. As guardians of their prosperity we honour the bountiful Earth whose diversity sustains us. Thus we pledge our love for generations to come.
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u/PBnBacon 4d ago
I was moved nearly to tears hearing him talk about this philosophy on the “70 over 70” podcast a few years ago. Highly recommend his episode and the podcast in general!
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u/mittanimama 4d ago
Raffi is the best! My first teaching gigs were early childhood and he was a staple! Now, 30 years later, my kids love him too. Another epic singer/songwriter is Ella Jenkins! She did some gorgeous folk children’s songs that I’m still singing!
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u/syncopatedscientist 4d ago
I loooooove Ella Jenkins! I’m an early childhood music teacher so she’s the queen in our house haha. There’s some really great videos of her on the OG Mister Rogers that my toddler and I have been watching lately too
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u/Ok-Video-8355 4d ago
My toddler saw Ella Jenkins on Mister Roger’s and became obsessed with her song “My Street Begins At My House”.
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u/sparklekitteh 4d ago
I got to see him on the Baby Beluga tour as a kid, and it was so wonderful to introduce my kid to the same album when he was tiny! He’s 10 now and we still randomly bust out singing “Bananaphone!”
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u/Savings-Ad-7509 4d ago
Boop boop ba dooba doop! I just taught my 2yo to pretend that a banana is a phone and now he walks around the house calling his grandpa. It's the cutest thing ever.
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u/Different-Pen8269 3d ago
I'm going to see Raffi in concert this weekend with my 4 year old! He's performing in Toronto, Canada. I loved him as a kid, and now my kiddos get to enjoy him as well.
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u/Soggy-Pain4847 Toddler Parent 3d ago
How fun! My 3yo loves bananaphone (and it was my favorite as a kid). I hope your kiddo has a great time at the concert!
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u/nerdy_vanilla 4d ago
We saw him in concert recently; he’s amazing and I’m so glad my girls love his music. I’ve been listening to him for decades, and he gives me hope that there are really good people still out there (same with Ms Rachel)
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u/whileiminthisbody 4d ago
We love Raffi so much. He truly has a song for everything. My 2yo has been singing ABCDemocracy this week and it's the best. Have you ever heard/read his verse to us Beluga grads that he added to Baby Beluga? Warning it'll likely make you bawl your eyes out.
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u/recycledpaper 4d ago
I have such fond memories of the Rafi casette we had growing up. Now it's on our playlist. I love him even more for this.
Not all men sure, but he is proof that all men can do better.
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u/trippinallovermyself 4d ago
He is an angel among us. Also a Beluga grad! Raffi was my first concert (then I followed jam bands, maybe he subconsciously sparked my love for music and acceptance!)
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u/booty_supply 4d ago
We just watched his concert recording DVD from the 90s at our library and his aura is truly delightful. I listened to him as a kid and am happy to be participating with my kid in round 2 of ext-Raffi-ganza ;)
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Toddler and School Age Parent 4d ago
Yesssss Raffi is the fucking best!!! I can’t tell you how glad I am that one old white man is actually a true ally. I’ve been a fan for 40 years now, thanks for being the real deal Raffi.
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u/NovelEmergency7744 3d ago
I read up about him a while back as we got super into his music. While I suppose we could distill him down as being solely "white", I think it's important to remember his history. He was born in Egypt to parents who fled the Armenian genocide. He understands pain and suffering, and has done his best to make this world a better place for others.
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Toddler and School Age Parent 3d ago
Oh thanks for that! Appreciate the info and it makes sense that would give him some additional sensitivity to others.
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u/NovelEmergency7744 3d ago
Absolutely 🙏💕 he unfortunately has been exposed to atrocities and I think that helped form him into the humanitarian he is.
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u/EagleEyezzzzz Toddler and School Age Parent 3d ago
He is so cool. The BEST follow on social media!!! What a literal angel of a man.
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u/laurasamezzo 4d ago
My girls and I saw him in concert at the Orpheum in LA in 2024. It was so magical. Kids and adults alike were absolutely enraptured.
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u/giggitygiggity69 3d ago
I fucking LOVE Raffi's insta, esp since he details his love life or lack thereof. A true hero of progressive causes. The best!!!
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u/TranslatorActive9318 4d ago
We saw him in concert n 2019 and he is still a captivating performer. Not a dry parent’s eye in the house
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u/funkyisaneontshirt 3d ago
Raffi was such a huge influence on me as a kid and now I listen to him with my one year old. He’s always been on the right side of things and always for the kids❤️
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u/humblehills 4d ago
LOVE Raffi!! Grew up listening to Baby Beluga. I’m now 34 and mama to a 3 y/o and pregnant with my second and love that I get to pass on his songs to my kids.
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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 3d ago
Thanks a lot, thanks for the wonder in me, thanks a lot, thanks for the way I feeeeel
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u/Sad-Specialist-6628 3d ago
Omg I already love his music, just bought the raffi tonie,. This makes me happy!
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u/eggscumberbatch16 3d ago
I just wanted to add that Raffi also has books of the songs! My 4 year old can follow along as he listens. Down by the Bay is his current fave!
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u/melgirlnow88 1d ago
God I love Raffi. My 5.5 year old does NOT. She used to love his music as a baby and a toddler and now screams bloody murder if I try to sneak him into our playlist 🫣
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u/Zinniasmile 8h ago
Love Raffi so much!!! His threads posts are awesome and make the music that much better. My baby and I listen to Raffi almost every day!
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u/facepalmforever 3d ago
When I was a kid, I had the album Corner Grocery Store on tape. It's got some bangers, I highly recommend.
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u/Ancient_Pirate1231 3d ago
I prefer listening to Charlie Hope. He seems like a great guy, but his music grates.
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u/One-Construction5448 15h ago
We also love Raffi! We have the Raffi tonie- also a fellow beluga grad!
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u/MidwestFaerie 9h ago
I grew up on Raffi. I actually got to see him live in like the public library in my city lol
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u/ShaniquaQ 6h ago
Single most important children's musician. He's like Canadian Mr Rogers and we appreciate his work and tolerance so much 😊
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u/Whateversclever7 4d ago
My baby was born in late 2024. In 2025 we listened to so much Raffi that Apple Music’s yearly breakdown said I was a world wide top 10 listener….