Hailing from Milwaukee, Citizen King blends hip-hop, soul, and punk influences akin to Fishbone, with whom they toured. Formed in 1993 after the dissolution of their previous band Wild Kingdom, the lineup includes guitarist Kristian Riley, vocalist Matt Sims, pianist Dave Cooley, and turntablist Malcolm Michiles. Citizen King's energetic live performances garnered local acclaim and attracted the attention of Speech from Arrested Development, who produced tracks on their 1995 debut album Brown Bag. Following their EP Count the Days and successful showcases at South by Southwest, the band signed with major-label subsidiary 510, releasing Count the Days in 1996 and Mobile Estates in 1999.

Citizen King, a dynamic group fusing various musical genres, emerged on the scene in 1993 from Milwaukee. Comprising members Kristian Riley, Matt Sims, Dave Cooley, and Malcolm Michiles, the band's sound draws comparisons to Fishbone, with whom they shared the stage early in their career. Notably, Speech of Arrested Development took notice of Citizen King's captivating stage presence and collaborated with them on tracks for their debut album Brown Bag in 1995. Subsequent releases, including the EP Count the Days and full-length albums under major-label subsidiary 510, solidified Citizen King's place in the music industry, showcasing their unique blend of hip-hop, soul, and punk influences.