Defcee, steel tipped dove - We Will Be Brief

Defcee and steel tipped dove’s collaboration makes all the sense in the world—two journeymen whose respective drives rival that of a .27 caliber nail gun. How it happened took a bit longer—dove sent multiple beat packs, Def picked masterpiece after masterpiece…and then they languished as the two branched into their own individual and collaborative pursuits. By the time they reunited in Brooklyn in the early spring days of 2024, the two of them had been putting in work throughout independent hip-hop. dove landed placements on multiple albums by the scorching-hot Armand Hammer—to say nothing of his stellar production credits across multiple billy woods solo projects—in addition to dropping incredible collaborative works with the likes of Fatboi Sharif, Fat Tony, and Rhys Langston; while Def’s albums with Messiah Musik, BoatHouse, and defprez garnered attention from outlets ranging from Rolling Stone to Complex.

Of course, all plans jump out the window once two artists meet in one studio to cook up together, and the result is We Will Be Brief, the new album from Defcee and steel tipped dove. The album’s title—a cribbed quote from Felicia “Snoop” Pearson, one of The Wire’s more memorable rogues—belies the complexity captured across the album’s twenty-seven minutes. steel tipped dove beats bond beauty and brutality seamlessly—drums that could crack cheekbones melt into beautifully arranged instrumental interludes, all the while anchored by a low end which thrums drunkenly throughout. Defcee’s lyrics bounce into and out of unexpected pockets like ping pong balls in a bingo cage, peppered with entendres, punchlines, introspection, and humor that kisses the line between self-effacing and self-deprecating. It’s the result of two artists at the prime of their abilities remaining present in the studio, creating work that stands near the top of both of their discographies.

Outside of the United States, order here: www.hhv.de/en/records/catalog/fused-arrow-vinyl-cd-tape-D2L102947N4S6

All songs written & performed by Defcee *except where noted
All songs produced, engineered, mixed/mastered by steel tipped dove
Cover Photography by Tim Fish