Welcome to the Music Thursdays segment! Each week here on Geek Alabama, Music Thursdays will feature music related content. Music Thursdays will feature an artist or band and their latest song and / or music video. People love music, and we here at Geek Alabama love featuring artists and bands!
Listen to the Buddy’s Magic Tree House Album on Spotify at: https://open.spotify.com/album/0t89W84YBh8m1CsqBrR5Ip
Mega Ran’s Buddy’s Magic Tree House is the second children’s album from the former teacher turned rapper who exploded into the family music scene in 2023.
In 2022, Mega Ran’s world was flipped upside down when he decided with his wife to enter into the unpredictable world of foster parenting. This crash course into parenting completely changed Mega Ran’s approach to making music as a video game composer and rapper, leading him to create Buddy’s Magic Toy Box, which debuted on Billboard as the #2 Kids Music album in the US.
After the album’s release, Mega Ran’s transformation into a children’s music artist seemed destined. It was seamless. Ran began playing shows at museums, parks and libraries; with the latter inspiring his latest hit “The Library Jawn,” from 2024 Buddy’s Magic Remixes EP which has fast become an anthem for reading advocates worldwide.
Ran also toured the world playing over 100 tour stops with legendary bands like Wheatus and The Cybertronic Spree, to all-ages and 21+ venues; yet he STILL played his children’s hits, despite having a mile-long catalog of rap songs about comics, games and pro-wrestling. “If I can teach 12 year olds, then adults are easy,” Ran would say on stage, half joking. He wasn’t wrong. Crowds of all ages from all walks of life would chant along with his catchy tunes about affirmations, healthy eating habits and friendship. The merging of all of Mega Ran’s worlds was complete.
That was what inspired the direction of Buddy’s Magic Tree House. “If the first album was about opening the toy box and enjoying playtime, then the second is about sharing those toys with others, and creating a safe space for everyone to play in as themselves, unapologetically. Everyone is welcome and safe when they enter the Tree House.”
Buddy’s Magic Tree House is a star-studded rocket blast into the stratosphere, just hoping to land on a star or two on re-entry. Songs like “Have a Great Time” capture pop and R&B sensibilities while stressing that “every once in a while you gotta make time” for fun and games. Mega Ran continues his trip into new genres with the prehistoric ska banger “Dino Stomp On The Playground,” a wild tale about dinosaurs taking over the local park. Collaboration is the key element to the Tree House, with “Buddy” himself, Mega Ran’s 3-year old son, even appearing on the intro track “Good Morning,” inviting us all to have a great day as we take the climb to another dimension in sound.
The ABC’s have never been funkier than in “The Alphabet Song” featuring rapper/producer Last BeNeVoLeNcE. “Water Plug” is a fun tale about inner-city summertime splashes and features 5X Grammy nominee Justin Roberts on guitar and vocals, with Jack White’s award-winning drummer Daru Jones on percussion. Playtime is again celebrated this time around on “Get Your Wiggle On” featuring Mista Cookie Jar, and “Inventors” is a track encouraging imagination through science, and features multi-hyphenate musician/activist SaulPaul and 2023 GRAMMY Winners The Alphabet Rockers. Things get serious on “Why Do People Go,” a track to help kids understand the people that vanish from our lives featuring the legendary singer/songwriter Kimya Dawson. The album ends with “Sing A Song,” a heartfelt dedication to “the first lady of children’s music,” Ella Jenkins, who passed away last year at 100. “Sing A Song” features 2024 GRAMMY nominee Uncle Jumbo and backing vocals by a half dozen children’s musicians, all of whom admittedly would not be here if it were not for Miss Ella’s beautiful songs and wisdom.
Children of all ages will find something fruitful and special in the collection of songs within “Buddy’s Magic Tree House.” Ran invites all listeners to find their safe space, cuddle with a loved one and be transported into another world!
ABOUT MEGA RAN
Mega Ran is a former middle school teacher turned rapper, songwriter, producer, podcast host and author who makes crowd powered interactive and fun music inspired by games, science fiction and pop culture. A pioneer of the “nerdcore” music subgenre, he’s rocked audiences all over the world, placing music in million-selling video games (Mortal Kombat, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), TV programming (WWE, AEW) and films (Clerks III).
