Citizen Cope.

Clarence Greenwood, born in Memphis and raised largely in Washington, D.C., got his start as a DJ for the DC alt-rock band Basehead before launching his own project under the name Citizen Cope, blending blues, soul, folk and hip-hop influences.

'Let the Drummer Kick,' from his 2002 self-titled debut, went RIAA-certified gold. The Clarence Greenwood Recordings (2004) and Every Waking Moment (2006) followed, built on the same songwriting that would draw other artists to his catalog.

Carlos Santana recorded Greenwood's song 'Sideways' on his 2002 album Shaman, and Sheryl Crow covered it in 2010 on 100 Miles from Memphis; his songs have also been recorded by Richie Havens, Dido and Pharoahe Monch.

In 2010, frustrated with major-label constraints, Greenwood founded his own independent label, Rainwater Recordings, releasing The Rainwater LP (2010) and every album since on his own terms.