The Marathon Man Arrives from the Past with a Funk-Fueled, Time-Hopping Debut
By Suté Iwar
NATIVE Records introduces a fresh voice from the afro-fusion cosmos – Rigo Kamp, artist whose self-titled debut EP glides through Fuji, funk, synth-pop, and indie rock. Across six genre-blurring tracks, Rigo establishes himself as a musical time traveller – part lover boy, part rock star, part masquerade in motion.
Track-by-Track Review
1. Marathon
Rigo kicks off like a time-travelling masquerade – surfacing from the past and landing squarely in 2025. The track opens with smooth Fuji rhythms before drifting into an indie-style middle 8 and snapping back to its roots. Lyrically, he’s on the run. The afro-juju marathon man has a story to tell – and he’s just getting started.
2. Forbes List
Here, Rigo transforms into a rock star, buoyed by crunchy guitars, glistening synths, and a percussive combo of bass guitar and 808s. His delivery – grunts, rhythmic phrasing, melodic instincts – suggests hip-hop’s influence without overtaking the track. The fusion is tight, tasteful, and confident.
3. Summer
“Don’t let no one tell you no / Let no one tell you lies” – the mantra that introduces this vibrant 80s synth-pop jam. Think Prince-era Minneapolis funk meets Lagos pop melodies. Odunsi’s vocals make a welcome appearance, further tying the project to his 2019 cult classic rare. Every sonic element affirms its title: this is a summer song in every sense.
4. Miss You
We return to funk, now with a four-on-the-floor pulse. Rigo’s lyrics shift to intimacy:
“Put your phone away, look me in my eyes, tell me all your fantasies.”
There’s a Steve Lacy-like vulnerability in his vocal delivery – yearning, youthful, real. Sweet funk soldiers will salute this one.
5. Morning Sun
Rigo unveils a Tems-like falsetto on a beat tinged with hip-hop but rooted in Afro textures. Genre labels feel inadequate here. “Afro-fusion” may be a catch-all, but this track hints at the need for deeper subgenres to truly describe where today’s Afro music is headed.
6. Move On
A closing moment of reflection. “Some will go, I move on / Some will stay,” It’s a graceful, groovy exit.
Final Thoughts
An Afro-sonic explorer has emerged from a funky past. His name is Rigo Kamp – the marathon man. This EP is a fascinating debut: sonically rich, creatively bold, and delivered with an ease that suggests this is only the beginning.
Coming from NATIVE Records – the same house that birthed ODUMODUBLVCK – this project marks a deliberate pivot toward music that prizes exploration over commercial formulas. Rigo’s sound won’t slot neatly into streaming categories, but it will earn a place in the hearts of curious listeners.
The EP’s themes may feel familiar – love, identity, introspection – but the soundscape is anything but. God bless Alté for creating space for this kind of artistry. God bless Afro for being an eternal home for fusion – and funk.
I won’t label this project. It is what it is – and it’s great. If anything, a more refined mix on some tracks would elevate the experience. Still, the musicality is evident, and one can only imagine how electric this will sound live.
Welcome back from the past, Rigo Kamp. The marathon man is here to stay.