Citizen Cope - Recording Career

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.” The album’s song, “Let The Drummer Kick,” is certified gold. Shortly afterward, Arista Records pursued the songwriter, prompting Cope to buy his way out of his DreamWorks contract. In 2004 he released The Clarence Greenwood Recordings, which he also produced. Upon hearing it, Vibe magazine called it “flawless throughout,” noting that Cope “makes music that feeds your soul…this is one of those CDs you hear at a friend’s house and rush out to buy.” Every Waking Moment followed in 2006 (also self-produced), and debuted at #69 on the Billboard 200 top-selling albums chart. In 2010, Cope decided to found and run his own record label, Rainwater Recordings. The move allowed him to exert full creative control over his music and career, free from the marketing entreaties of the major record labels he previously had been signed to. He released The Rainwater LP that year, producing the entire album. The Rainwater LP was critically acclaimed and newfound fan Ellen DeGeneres invited him to perform “Healing Hands” in April 2010. “Let the Drummer Kick” off his 2002 album Citizen Cope has recently gone RIAA gold. Citizen Cope is currently working on a new album, "One Lovely Day" due out July 17.