Video: Finnish rappers, age 4

Ella ja Aleksi is a Finnish musical group featuring two four-year-old rappers. This video for the song "Yöjuna Rovaniemelle " is an absolute delight. (Thanks, Kirsten Anderson!)

• [Charles Eason]

  First, I didn’t know what they were saying. There was a spirtual something that I understand. And then I read the translation. I liked it.

• [Anonymous]

  This is utterly adorable. I actually want to get this MP3 if it is at all possible. I generally hate rap, but these kids are just fabulous.

• [Anonymous]

  Made by the lovely people at Anima Boutique here in Helsinki (I’m unaffiliated but intend to ask them for a job): http://www.animaboutique.fi/

• [Anonymous]

  @ lobster Why is this child exploitation? Translation of lyrics might help. I thought it was sweet until I read this comment.

• [jackie31337]

  My 6 year old daughter has been a big fan of Ella and Aleksi since she was about 2 or 3. They’re considerably older than 4 now, though. Also, if I recall, “Aleksi” is about 2 years older than his sister.

• [kimvais]

  As a native Finnish speaker, I had to check the info from Finnish sources, and according to the fi.wikipedia.org article, the kids were different on the 3rd album released in 2008 to the ones rapping on the first two.

• [Lobster]

  Hmm. If there’s anything I love more than rap, it’s child exploitation.

• [Tricia]

  The lyrics are totally innocent and sweet: “Night Train to Rovaniemi”–”Top bunk for me, bottom bunk for me…” If they’re referring to exploitation, it’s only re: having kids perform at all

• [OptimusCrime84]

  Here’s a quick translation I did about the lyrics. Great video and I love especially Aleksi because he can’t pronounce the letter R correctly which makes his conductor sound like ‘condüktööRR’ ;D

  The lyrics might sound lame but that’s because they don’t rhyme in english…

  Lyrics:

  The beds are made for us
  This night train is heading towards Lapland
  Lower bed to you, the upper bed for me
  Now is time for ‘elfing’ around
  take out the toys, papers and markers
  The train is better than cars and busses
  here you can play, let’s make a cottage
  Even dad smiles when he is not driving
  (even dad smiles when he is not driving)

  Chorus:
  So let’s head towards Rovaniemi (<- a city in Lapland)
  This is nighttrain 865
  there’s a circle of elves of us out here
  Keep good care of us conductor
  (2x)

  Could it be possible to move into a train
  our home would keep moving all the time
  the conductor would protect our dreams
  a new locality every morning
  We found jars that say
  ‘This is Helsinki’s tapwater’ (<-capital of Finland)
  when you push the pedal in the toilet
  soon you can see your pee in the rails
  (soon you can see your pee in the rails)

  Chorus:
  So let’s head towards Rovaniemi (<- a city in Lapland)
  This is nighttrain 865
  there’s a circle of elves of us out here
  Keep good care of us conductor
  (4x)

• [pato pal ur]

  Nice! I love the walrus ticket conductor and how he validates the tickets with his teeth!