Citizen Cope

Music Review: Few Compare to Citizen Cope's Originality

Authored by Scott Goldberg on October 20, 2006 - 4:59am.

The words “unique” and “original” are too often tossed at art and music unworthy of such lofty claims, because to possess a truly unique and original style is, perhaps, the highest aim of any artist. Listening to Citizen Cope’s music, the lack of comparisons will not be obvious right away. At first you’re reminded of the blues, Cope’s smoky voice and melancholy mood hovering over every track. But his style is as much blues as it is rap, as much rap as it is reggae; in jazz terminology you might call it a “cool” approach – Cope always sings just behind the already slowed-down beat, taking his time with every word, and in that sense he lacks (gratefully) the urgency underlining most hip hop and rap today.