N'fa
Cause An Effect
Inertia


1200 Techniques frontman N'fa's solo album is a healthy shot of varied, high-quality hip-hop, jumping across rap genres, from catchy, light-hearted crunk to highly motivated conscious rap. Featuring collaborations with a range of beatmakers and MCs - big names like Roots Manuva and D-Bridge from Bad Company sit next to others like the virtually unknown but talented young producer Stylaz.

The first track, Cause An Effect, is a uniquely Australian conscious rap about equality and peace; N'fa's verses skillfully flowing over an understated D-Bridge beat. The disenchanted vibe continues on the second track, the sarcastic Get Doh with a funky organ riff and, were it not for the biting lyrical content and talented vocals, would sound almost like any Top 40 commercial rap hit. This isn't a bad thing; it works almost as satire in rap form, and it's nice to have some hip-hop that's as catchy and shamelessly groove-based as crunk with some real, thoughtful lyrics over the top.

'Cause An Effect' is like the diary of an articulate person talking about the things that worry them, the everyday thoughts that practically everyone can relate to, but held together in a tight wrap of intelligent wordplay and insightful conclusions. The kinds of ideas mentioned by N'fa in this album are noticeably Australian in their longing for fairness and his general mood of trying to be a good person.

Seduction Is Evil is at once a fun party track about pretty girls, but also an introspective analysis of N'fa's desires and shortcomings; shortcomings everybody feels and can relate to. That's one of the greatest things about this album, N'fa's unpretentious, honest delivery is so accessible that anybody can find something to identify with. He's not trying to put across any particular image, so it's his sincere but relaxed, and ultimately personal, attitude that shows up here.

This album is just plain quality, really. Better than anything he did with 1200 Techniques, 'Cause An Effect' displays a darker, moodier side of N'fa, but he doesn't get lost in this and even some of the heaviest rps on the album feature the odd funny line. Despite the range of producers involved, 'Cause An Effect' manages to maintain a consistent mood, and the mood is a very good one indeed.

Ben Ford Smith