In March 2026, we featured the track All Black Everything by Chicago, USA-based outfit DA-MOVEMENT. As well as garnering praise from myself, the single has reached an international audience and has recently been selected as an Official Finalist for the 2026 InterContinental Music Awards.
By Graeme Smith
Additional writing by Pompey ‘Pay’ Hicks
It’s a testament to how hard-working the act is. As well as making great music with old school flair, they make sure people know about it. That is one of the many reasons I’m writing about their latest release, 24s.
24s feels like a continuation of the DA-MOVEMENT story. It’s a time capsule, resurrected from a failed hard drive by engineer Rae Nimeh after 60 days of painstaking work. The track features the soulful voice of the late Johnny P in what is most interestingly the first recorded collaboration between him and a member of Crucial Conflict (Never) — two significant figures of the Chicago hip-hop legacy.
The project was hit by additional tragedy when producer Jason Pamon passed away in April, shortly after the music was rescued. DA-MOVEMENT describes 24s as a tribute to him, preserving and celebrating one of his final major works.
“Jason was my friend,” says DA-MOVEMENT’s Pompey ‘Pay’ Hicks III. “We grew up together, played basketball together and lived the culture. Since high school at OPRF in 2002, we always talked about making an impact on Chicago hip-hop.
“Eight years after graduating, I reached out to him because I was searching for the frequency that could hold the weight of both Johnny P and Never. He delivered that flawless track in exactly 48 hours. He captured the soul and the bounce of this city. He will truly be missed, and this record is now a permanent testament to his brilliance.”
As for the music, 24s is a slow and soulful number. Stripped back percussion and harmonies invite us in before Qraft delivers a free-flowing first verse, sultry and highly charged. Offering an effortless, slick display of storytelling, Qraft commands the microphone early, setting a luxurious mood with precise wordplay and an undeniable presence. As things move naturally into a soaring R&B chorus from Johnny P, featuring rich layers of vocals, the energy shifts beautifully.
By the second verse, Pay steps up, locking us fully into an old-school hip-hop vibe. Bringing heavy vocal authority and a seasoned, pocket-perfect delivery, Pay anchors the track’s core message, laying down pure Midwest grit that commands respect and sets the stage for the legends. When the hook returns, Johnny P’s legendary voice takes center stage once again. Often described as a high-pitched, soulful croon that is like velvet dipped in honey, his distinctive style brings an R&B sensitivity that bridges the gap between hip-hop and old-school greats like Sam Cooke and Donny Hathaway.
The cypher is then completed by Never (Marrico King) of Crucial Conflict, who drops a standout third verse. True to form, he brings his signature high-energy “rodeo style” bounce, delivering a fast-paced, melodic Midwest cadence packed with rapid-fire syncopation. The track concludes with a touching, preserved Johnny P outro, thoughtfully pieced together by Rae Nimeh.
I don’t think we’ve heard beats this fresh since the ‘90s. The resurrected original files were given a modern mix by Rae Nimeh and polished with Dolby Atmos mastering by two-time Grammy-winner Mike Tucci. This gives the track a contemporary edge without losing its authentic soul, and marks a historic milestone in real-time as the very first time the legendary voices of both Johnny P and Never have been presented in an immersive spatial audio format.
Like All Black Everything, 24s is getting major international traction. The single previously earned a featured spot on Apple Music’s Flowetry editorial playlist and recently hit #11 on the Euro Indie Music Chart. Dropping on 26 June, 24s skyrocketed on the DJ circuit for the month of July, hitting #28 on the Global Hip-Hop & R&B Chart on Digital DJ Pool (#317 out of 25,954 ranked tracks across all genres). In just its first full month, it has reached tastemakers across 197 countries and captured the attention of DJs affiliated with over 175 clubs and 45 FM radio stations worldwide.
And the DA-MOVEMENT story is far from over. As part of their ongoing “Audio Resurrection Campaign,” the independent collective has announced a highly anticipated 24s (Remix) produced by John Pierre Watkins. Slated for a September 24, 2026 release—dropping on what would have been Johnny P’s birthday—it serves as a poignant continuation of their mission to honour the late legend’s undeniable impact on Chicago hip-hop. Continuing the collective’s commitment to high-fidelity sound, the remix will once again be mixed by Rae Nimeh and mastered by Mike Tucci, guaranteeing another immersive Dolby Atmos experience upon its release on Apple Music.
If you want to keep up to date with what they’re doing, you can by following them on Facebook, X, Spotify, and Instagram.
24s is out now, and you can listen to it below.
Supported by Musosoup #SustainableCurator
