Peace Through Music logo

Peace Through Music

Learn More
Peace Through Music logo

Peace Through Music

A Global Event for Social Justice | Special Release!

Learn More
Playing for change logo
  • Videos
  • Musicians
  • Band
  • Music
  • About
  • Shop
Português
Become a Member

Back to All Musicians

Ringo Starr

Citizen Cope

Washington D.C., DC, USA

Biography

Clarence Greenwood is a trailblazing artist and producer better known as Citizen Cope who got his musical start in DC before moving to Brooklyn where he wrote songs while supporting himself on the streets; buying and selling concert and sporting tickets with a cast of characters outside arenas and stadiums. His music spread from fan-to-fan via word of mouth, and over the course of time, his songs have become the soundtrack of his fans lives.

The success of Cope’s music has always been a slow burn, rather than a flash in the pan. His single “Let The Drummer Kick” eventually went Platinum without any support from commercial radio. The Washington Post has hailed him as “DC’s finest export since Marvin Gaye,” while Rolling Stone raved that his “uncommon chords and harmonies combine delicate dissonance with unexpected flashes of beauty.” In 2004, Cope followed up his self-titled debut with ‘The Clarence Greenwood Recordings,’ an album Vibe praised as “flawless throughout,” gushing 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.” The collection was largely ignored by mainstream media and never charted, yet the grassroots swell of support kept sales rolling year after year, to the tune of 700,000 copies, and opened the doors to film and television syncs with tracks appearing in Entourage, Sons of Anarchy, Alpha Dog, and more. Songs from the record would go on to be covered by everyone from Carlos Santana and Sheryl Crow to Richie Havens and Rhymefest, and in the years that followed, Cope has headlined all 50 states and shared stages with superstars like Eric Clapton. He cracked the Billboard 200 for the first time with 2006’s ‘Every Waking Moment,’ and then launched his own label to release 2010’s ‘The Rainwater LP’ and 2012’s ‘One Lovely Day,’ his highest charting album to date.

Seven years in the making, he released his latest album, ‘Heroin & Helicopters’ in March 2019.

Hometown

Follow Citizen Cope

PFC Videos Featuring Citizen Cope
Come As You Are | Song Around The World

Jul 28, 2020

PFC 3: Songs Around The World Movie

May 04, 2020

The River | Citizen Cope | Live Outside

Nov 13, 2019

Discover Musicians
  • Grandpa Elliott

    location_onNew Orleans, LA, United States
  • Genevieve Chadwick

    location_onUlladulla, New South Wales, Australia
  • Keith Richards

    location_onDartford, UK
Explore Videos
Jah Guide | Live in Australia

Jul 15, 2015

Stand By Me | PFC Band live in Brazil

Dec 23, 2014

Our Music Students in Ghana Unite to Record an Original Song

Jul 23, 2014

Recently From Our Blog
Playing For Change Releases Remake of Peter Gabriel’s “Biko” in honor of Black History Month and Gabriel’s birthday

Posted on February 12, 2021


FEATURING PETER GABRIEL, ANGELIQUE KIDJO, SILKROAD’S YO-YO MA, MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO AND MORE VIDEO TO STREAM ON ROLLINGSTONE.COM   Los Angeles, CA — February 12, 2021 — Playing For Change is proud to announce the release of its latest Song Around The World, “Biko,” a remake of the 1980 classic by English rock and roll hall […]

Continue reading
76 years strong…Happy Birthday Bob Marley

Posted on February 6, 2021


Today marks the 76th birthday of a musical legend and one of our heroes, Bob Marley. Through his music, with songs such as “One Love,” “Three Little Birds,” and “Get Up Stand Up,” he gave millions of people around the world hope and inspired them to believe in a better tomorrow. Marley’s lyrics shed light […]

Continue reading
Want to see behind the scenes of PFC?
Become a Member
    • About
    • Contact
    • Team
    • Events
    • PFC Foundation
    • Blog
  • Become a Member
Playing for Change

Copyright © 2021 Playing for Change | Terms | Privacy

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.I Accept