The Black Keys have claimed their music is more influenced by hip-hop than the blues.
The Ohio duo bizarrely argued it is “ridiculous to say we play blues music” in an interview with the Independent.
Frontman Dan Auerbach said: “When I listen to our records, I don’t hear blues music.”
Speaking about ‘Next Girl’, a song from their latest album ‘Brothers’, he added: “It’s weird because we ripped off a hip-hop song directly [on that track].”
Auerbach also claimed that the band’s live session players appreciate their musical influences.
“These guys understand where we’re coming from, they love hip-hop, they know that the groove is king. It’s hard to teach people that,” he remarked.
Last year, The Black Keys released a collaboration album under the name BLAKROC.
The self-titled record featured contributions from hip-hop artists such as Raekwon, Wu Tang Clan‘s RZA, Mos Def and Ludacris.