Hugo covers "99 Problems"

I have to admit; at first I was hesitant to listen to Hugo’s cover of “99 Problems.” I love Jay-Z‘s version, and I was worried that this was going to be another hip-hop cover. To my surprise, that was far from the truth.

So, I have to give a little history on this song to start off. Sorry, I’m old school. I say another hip-hop cover because “99 Problems” was originally done by Ice-T, and of course, Ice-T’s original version is truly gangsterfied. About two years before Jay-Z released his chart-topping version produced by Rick Rubin, another hip-hop artist, Trick Daddy, recorded his cover of “99 Problems,” which was featured as a track on his 2001 “Thugs Are Us” album. 

Needless to say, I’m glad I gave Hugo’s version a listen. I found his cover to be refreshingly unique. To be honest, I didn’t know that he wasn’t a rapper until I watched the video. Kudos to him for giving new life to this song.

Yesterday I found myself randomly listening to some down south, delta blues. To my complete surprise, Hugo hydrated my thirst for more of this music. The video for “99 Problems” is pure bluesy grit and grime, banjo and all. Part of it being filmed in the studio where some of “Fight Club” was shot, it’s no surprise that the video has such a sweaty, Brad Pitt appeal to it.

The red-hot iguana was what grabbed my interest in the first few seconds of the video. From my experience living in Central America, these creatures are more than intriguing to me – I am familiar with them. They creep around, watching you with their snaky eyes, but always keeping their distance. The iguana seems to play the adversary throughout the music video; always cast in a red glow.

I also love the lyrical reference to the crossroads and the devil. If you know anything about the tale of Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil for the ability to play the meanest guitar you’ll ever hear, you will appreciate this song even more. (Tons of artists have made reference, or covered Johnson’s song, and my favorite reference to this tale is in the film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”).

This is beyond a cover; this is Hugo’s ingenious ability to bridge a gap between mainstream and art. Not to mention, after one of his song’s landed on Beyoncé’s album, he has since been signed to Jay-Z’s label, and may now have the ultimate platform to cross that road.

I’m anticipating the album release. Not sure when that will be. It looks like he’s only gigging in New York at this time.

 07/23/2010 23:24:57 ♥ nicole () ♥ hugoofficial.com ♥ myspace.com ♥ @hugoofficial