CHICAGO, IL — In an era where the music industry often prioritizes fleeting algorithms and disposable trends, Pompey “Pay” Hicks IV is staging a revolution from the vault. As the Executive Principal of the Chicago-based collective DA-MOVEMENT, co-founder Pay is leading what he calls an “Audio Resurrection”—a strategic, industrial-scale rollout of unreleased and remastered recordings from the city’s most formidable era of street-soul documentation.
Unvaulting: Architects of the Sound
Founded on the pillars of “soul and lyrics,” DA-MOVEMENT was forged through the foundational chemistry between Pay and fellow lyrical architect Qraft. What began as a collaboration quickly evolved into a unified collective as legends like Never of Crucial Conflict and the late Johnny P joined the fold.
“Qraft and I realized early on that to protect the culture and bring the soul back into the mechanical heart of this genre, we had to become the CEOs of our own sound,” Pay explains. “The more Johnny P and Never recorded songs with us, the more it organically transitioned into an undeniable collective.”
The resurrection began in earnest with the release of the “All Black Everything (Remix).” The track represents a historic “diplomatic summit” of the West Side, uniting Dennis “AK” Round of Do Or Die and Marrico “Never” Donte King of Crucial Conflict. In 2012, DA-Movement released the original “All Black Everything,” which featured AK, Never and J. Harris on the hook – its iconic and cinematic visual was built around an “executive” level vibe.
The remix, released Dec 12, 2025 has helped the group garner traction in today’s global music market. The visual for the track, shot in stark black-and-white on a rooftop overlooking the Chicago skyline, avoids typical street clichés in favor of an “executive” aesthetic.
“We wanted to visually show that DA-MOVEMENT and these Chicago legends are standing at the top of the city looking down,” Pay says. “It’s raw but it’s polished. That elevated, boss-level aesthetic captures our core message: Black excellence, longevity and cultural pride.”
The campaign is now building toward its peak: the May 2026 premiere of “24’s.” A whispered legend since a cryptic 2013 visual broadcast, the track features Never and the late Johnny P. The track “24’s” was produced by Jason Pamon, who passed away recently on April 3, 2026 after a battle with cancer; the release now serves as a permanent testament to his brilliance.
Industrial Independence: Grace, Grit & Legacy in 2026
While many independent artists struggle for visibility, DA-MOVEMENT operates with the precision of a major label through their “Battle Station Intelligence.” This global Tactical Broadcast Network has propelled the collective to a reach of over 27 million listeners and a rank in the top 5% of Digital DJ Pools. For Pay, this “Industrial Independence” is a line in the sand.
“It means we own our masters, we control our data and we don’t ask for permission to be heard,” he states. This control is bolstered by a 100% sample-free catalog, allowing the group to clear tracks for film and television instantly—a rarity in a genre often bogged down by legal clearances.
Johnny P remains the heartbeat of the movement. His signature voice behind multi-platinum hits like “Po Pimp” and his influence acts as a “benevolent guardian” over the project, ensuring the Chicago sound remains authentic.
“Johnny P taught us that true longevity comes from respect and soul,” Pay reflects. “We balance his legacy by ensuring every modern snare hit and vocal layer we drop today acts as a deliberate act of cultural preservation for the foundation he built.”
As DA-MOVEMENT moves forward, the goal remains clear: to solidify their position as the definitive architects of the modern Midwest sound. In a market saturated with “mumble rap,” Pay and his collective are proving that true art does not expire—it simply waits for the exact right moment to be resurrected.
