Israeli YouTube sensation DJ Raphi has officially crossed the one million subscriber mark — an achievement he calls “definitely surreal.” Known for his high-energy dance videos that have become a staple in classrooms around the globe, the Israeli entertainer is now setting his sights even higher.
“It's kind of crazy because it's rare in this country, but I'm happy we managed to get there,” Raphi said in an interview with Ynetnews. “I probably didn’t imagine I’d become a global internet star, but I knew people enjoyed watching me dance and entertain. I went all in to make a childhood dream come true — and we did.”
Ynet interview with DJ Raphi
(Video: Yaron Brener)
DJ Raphi’s channel is more than a viral dance page — it’s a global movement. “People don’t just watch me; they dance with me,” he said. “I think the secret is that I come with no ego. I’m just as pure as possible. I dress simply, wear glasses and genuinely enjoy myself. People sense that and it makes it easier for them to follow.”
His videos are often shown in schools around the world, combining catchy music, animations and basic English instruction. “It’s fun, it’s educational and it helps kids around the world learn English through dancing,” he said.
But Raphi’s journey hasn’t been without difficulty, especially in recent months. “At the beginning of the war, I was quite vocal about the fact that I’m Israeli and that I had a brother injured on October 7. I got a lot of hate on YouTube and Instagram,” he shared. “I would go out there and fight back, share my story and explain why Israel is a place of light, not darkness.”
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Despite the backlash, he said support often came from unexpected places. “There are a lot of Muslim countries that follow me and they know I’m Israeli. It doesn’t bother them. They support me 100%. So in the last half-year, it’s been less about fighting — and more about dancing together.”
Much of DJ Raphi’s motivation is rooted in a personal tragedy: the loss of his mother in a traffic accident. “She gave up everything when we moved from South Africa to Israel so we could succeed here,” he recalled. “She was hit by a bus, but even to her last day, she was the biggest believer in everything I did.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic halted his DJ business, which specialized in bar and bat mitzvahs, his mother urged him to take his talents online. “She said, ‘You should share what you do at these parties with the world.’ She really pushed me to make this happen. This whole thing is in her memory and continuing her legacy of being a light to so many.”
Now, with over half a billion views and counting, DJ Raphi hopes to pass that light onto others, especially the next generation. “We have a new song and video coming out this Friday called ‘Be You, Be Awesome’. It’s about understanding that being yourself is enough,” he said. “Don’t try to act differently. Make yourself louder — you’re awesome, you’re great and you don’t have to change.”
His message is simple but powerful: “Anyone can do anything. Anyone can dream far and make it come true. Anyone can dance. There’s nothing that can stop you.”
As for what’s next? “We want to take the YouTube channel to the stage,” Raphi said. “I perform a lot in the U.S. and around the world and we want to scale it up — bigger shows, better shows, especially in the U.S. and hopefully in Israel too. Most people know me in the U.S., that’s true. So, we’re aiming there.”