Jay-Z’s association with rock music is well documented. From his well-known collab with Linkin Park to rumors of an album with Jack White and Jigga sightings at Grizzly Bear shows, it’s clear Jay-Z’s tastes lie all over the musical map. So don’t be surprised by one of the latest signings by his label Roc Nation, a blues rock musician by the name of Hugo.

From New York via London via Bangkok, Hugo has already received comparisons varying from The White Stripes (he loves them) to Beck to Cage the Elephant. But you haven’t seen any of those guys put out a cover of “99 Problems”. Hugo has, and we premiere the video for it today.

In an interview with Consequence of Sound, Hugo touched upon the concept of the song and video. “I thought it would be perverse to make a newgrass version of a gangsta rap song,” he said. “He raps [in '99 Problems', but there's a melody implied in it." According to Hugo, he approached Jigga ("He can be pretty intimidating") about doing the cover with the words "I'm thinking of covering '99 Problems' with a banjo." Jay-Z simply replied, "Yeah, go ahead," and the cover was born.

The video involves Hugo, a bunch of beautiful fighting women, a pig mask, and an iguana. "It's almost like a dream state," Hugo told us. It's about what he calls a "sense of moral jeopardy", and more specifically, "renegotiating the deal with the devil." As for the iguana? "I needed to make a sort of diva demand," Hugo said. "[I told the crew,] ‘I’m gonna have a fucking iguana and nothing you say or do is going to change that.’”

“99 Problems” and blues rock/hip-hop hybrid “Bread and Butter” are the lead singles off Hugo’s upcoming album Old Tyme Religion, the title track of which was “originally a Jay-Z track”.

Not exactly a groundbreaking idea, combining the worlds of hip-hop and rock and roll. But the self-described “gangsta rock” artist is more than just a novelty. “I listen to pretty much vintage music,” he said, adding his sound is “influenced by country and blues.” He is bored by rock music he calls “dull and stale, when people are almost referencing themselves.” He continued, “Hip-hop has the right attitude in terms of the spontaneity and the creativity.”

Old Tyme Religion drops this fall on Roc Nation. Check out the premiere of his “99 Problems” video below, and both singles below that.

Hugo 2010 Tour Dates:
08/03 – New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall 2
08/10 – New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall 2
08/17 – New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall 2
08/24 – New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall 2
08/31 – New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall 2