Mega Ran's second kids album is more than just child's play

When Raheem Jarbo, better known as Mega Ran, dropped his first kids’ album, “Buddy’s Magic Toy Box,” in 2023, the Phoenix rapper wasn’t sure how it would land.

Turns out, it was child’s play. The 12-track release earned glowing reviews from critics, fans and fellow parents alike. “It was pretty overwhelming,” Jarbo says. “Parents told me their kids kept asking to hear certain songs or wanted to learn more about hip-hop.”

Even his toughest critic — his adopted son, who inspired the album — gave it a thumbs up.

“Man, he loved it,” Jarbo says.
Buoyed by the positive response to his first kids’ album, Jarbo set out to craft a sequel. The result, “Buddy’s Magic Tree House,” drops this Friday. Like its predecessor, the follow-up album features his son’s nickname (Buddy) and marks a continued departure from the nerdcore that’s defined Jarbo’s career over the past 18 years.

The rapper largely eschewed beats and lyrics inspired by pro wrestling and anime, save for the occasional reference to video game characters like Sonic the Hedgehog. In their place: joyful tracks about bullies, friendship and even the joys of eating fruit. Bursting with playful rhymes, bouncy beats, and big imagination, “Buddy’s Magic Toy Box” delivered a vibrant hip-hop joyride for kids — ull of humor, heart, and life lessons.

Jarbo, a former schoolteacher, says the album’s positive messages and life lessons for kids. Initially unsure how “Toy Box” would be received, the warm response he got changed his mind.

“Parents told me how their kids enjoy fruit now because they liked the song (‘Gimmie the Fruit’), so I realized there were just new layers of teaching that could happen through music,” Jarbo says. “I was really touched and overwhelmed by that, and it opened my mind to the possibilities of different things I could do with a follow-up.”
In addition to covering kid-friendly topics like the ABCs (“The Alphabet Jawn”), self-esteem (“You’re Enough”), the power of creativity (“Inventors Pt. 1 & 2”) and the joys of playing outside (“Have A Great Time”), the new album draws inspiration from real-life challenges Jarbo has faced with his son. Case in point: the playful track “Brush Them Teeth,” which extols the virtues of good dental hygiene.

“Yeah, my kid hates brushing his teeth. He absolutely fights me every day, until I put that tune on,” Jarbo says. “It helps a little, honestly. It makes about half of that two-minute experience easier.”

“Buddy’s Magic Tree House” also sees Jarbo expanding his sonic palette. One memorable track, “Dino Stomp On the Playground,” is a gleeful, bouncy ska romp about a pack of dinosaurs taking over jungle gyms and swing sets. The track features horns played by Danny Torgeson of famed Phoenix band Captain Squeegee.

“I enjoyed the songs where I’m a little more free and step outside of my hip-hop roots and bust through barriers I’ve been working around for decades,” Jarbo says. “It’s a freeing experience, like with singing songs that are in different time signatures or go into different genres.” Torgeson isn’t the only standout guest on “Buddy’s Magic Tree House.” Renowned reggae artist Aaron Nigel Smith lends his vocals to the track “Here’s Some Advice,” while members of the Grammy-winning children’s hip-hop group Alphabet Rockers team up with Jarbo on “Inventors Pt. 1 & 2.”

Jarbo says he connected with Tommy Soulati Shepherd from Alphabet Rockers at a Los Angeles music event, and the two quickly hit it off.

“They’re from the Bay Area, and some friends had told me about the amazing work they’re doing with music and education,” Jarbo says. “When I met Tommy in L.A., we just struck up a conversation. He said, ‘Hey man, if you have any ideas, we should work on something.’”

Another musical connection Jarbo tapped for the project was indie folk singer-songwriter Kimya Dawson, who appears on the track “Why Do People Go.” The two met virtually during the pandemic and bonded over a mutual love of pro wrestling.

“She started telling me all these stories about meeting (WWE icon) Daniel Bryan and how they recorded a song together and all this cool stuff,” Jarbo recalls. “And I was like, ‘How did Kimya become even cooler?’”

As for how “Buddy’s Magic Tree House” will be received, Jarbo says he isn’t too worried. Recording the follow-up was a “fantastic experience,” and it’s already earned the seal of approval from his son.

“He totally loves the new album. ‘Dino Stomp’ is his favorite — he wants to hear it constantly, so we play it every morning,” Jarbo says. “Some of the songs — the choruses, the refrains, the call-and-response — have become part of our daily lives, which is pretty cool.”

“Buddy’s Magic Tree House” is scheduled to be released on June 27 via Mega Ran’s Bandcamp, Spotify and other streaming platforms.