Cause ’n Affect - Radical Son

Radical Son’s debut album Cause ’n Affect arrived with the weight of lived experience and the clarity of purpose that only comes from telling your own truth. This was not a record chasing trends or courting easy approval. It’s a raw, unflinching body of work that positions David Leha — from the Kamilaroi nation of Australia and the South Pacific nation of Tonga — as one of the most compelling voices in Australian hip-hop and soul.

From the outset, Cause ’n Affect announces itself as deeply personal. Leha’s voice — gravelled, weathered, and emotionally open — carries the stories of displacement, resilience, and survival that sit at the heart of the album. His delivery is conversational yet commanding, capable of quiet reflection one moment and blistering intensity the next. There’s a sense that these songs had to be made, not simply written.

Musically, the album moves fluidly between hip-hop, soul, and dub, underpinned by warm basslines, restrained beats, and a strong emphasis on groove and atmosphere. The production is polished without losing its edge; nothing feels overworked. Instead, the arrangements give Leha space to inhabit his narratives fully.

There’s also a musical confidence here that belies its debut status. Radical Son understands pacing, dynamics, and the power of silence as much as sound. Hooks are present, but they’re never forced. The album unfolds like a conversation you lean into, rather than a performance that shouts for attention.

In the broader landscape of Australian music, Cause ’n Affect feels significant. It places a First Nations voice at the centre of a genre often dominated by bravado, replacing posturing with purpose. It also signals a shift toward more expansive storytelling in Australian hip-hop — one that embraces soulfulness, vulnerability, and depth.

Cause ’n Affect was a debut album that resonated because it’s honest, measured, and fearless. Radical Son didn't arrive asking permission; he arrived speaking plainly and powerfully. And in doing so, he left a lasting impression — one that suggests this was only the beginning of a vital and enduring body of work.