Citizen Cope

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Clarence Greenwood (stage name Citizen Cope) is an American songwriter, producer and performer. His music is commonly described as a mix of blues, soul, folk, and rock. He has been touring professionally for ten years. Citizen Cope’s compositions have been recorded by artists as varied as Carlos Santana, Dido, Pharoahe Monch and Richie Havens. He currently records and produces for his own record label, Rainwater Recordings, which he founded in 2010 after deciding not to work with major labels any longer. He had previously been signed to Capitol, Arista, DreamWorks and RCA.

Early life

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Clarence Greenwood spent parts of his childhood in Texas and Mississippi, ultimately ending up in Washington, D.C. where he was primarily raised.

Recording career

Clarence Greenwood was initially the DJ for Washington DC based hip hop group Basehead. He was signed to Capitol Records in 1997. In 2000, Citizen Cope signed with DreamWorks and released a self-titled album in 2002. Rolling Stone wrote, "...Cope melds hip-hop with folk, soul and blues...and 'feels' this combination deeply....Cope's uncommon chords and harmonies combine delicate dissonance with unexpected flashes of beauty..." And the Washington Post called him "the city’s most soulful export since Marvin Gaye.”

Citizen Cope (album)

Citizen Cope is the debut album by Citizen Cope, released on January 29, 2002. It is his first and only album for DreamWorks Records. The album boasts a lengthy cast of session musicians- most of whom are veterans. The first single from the album "Contact" featured bass playing from Me'Shell Ndegeocello. Most of the bass on the album was played by Preston Crump, a session musician who was previously known for playing on songs produced by the production team Organized Noize. The song "Let the Drummer Kick" was featured in the 2006 ensemble comedy Accepted as well as the 2005 Samuel L. Jackson film Coach Carter.

Track listing

All music and lyrics by Clarence Greenwood