Prime Boys

Last updated

Prime Boys
PrimeBoysLogo.png
Background information
Origin St. Lawrence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres Canadian hip hop
Years active2012–2025
Labels eOne
Members
Past members Jay Whiss
Website inmyprime.co

Prime Boys are a Canadian hip hop collective based in Toronto. The original lineup consisted of Jay Whiss, Jimmy Prime, and Donnie, and the trio released their debut studio album, Koba World , in 2018.

Contents

Background

The trio all come from the Esplanade area in Toronto's central waterfront district that is popular with tourists, stating that they are showing the sides of the city tourists don't see with their music. [1] It is said that Prime boys member, Jimmy, coined the term "The Six" as a nickname for Toronto, after its six boroughs and the area codes 416 and 647. A term that was taken global by Drake and even influenced the name of companies such as 6ixBuzz. [2] Prime, Donnie and Whiss were all childhood friends who naturally formed into Prime Boys. [3]

The group's single "Tinted", which was produced by Murda Beatz, was featured on Spotify's Northern Bars playlist. [4] [5]

The group released their debut studio album on July 27, 2018. The album was originally slated to be titled Prime Forever but was renamed to Koba World as a dedication to their best friend, Kosi Modekwe aka Koba Prime, who was killed earlier in the year with Halal Gang member Smoke Dawg. [6] The album received a 9/10 score by Exclaim! and was heavily produced by Murda Beatz. [7] [8] It was supported by the singles "Hold Me Down," "Sopranos," "Tinted" and "Come Wit It". [9] Jay Whiss and Jimmy Prime made an appearance on 6ixBuzz's second release NorthernSound released on December 13, 2019, alongside Halal Gang musician Safe on track 13 "The World is Yours". [10]

Prime Boys also come together with all the Halal Gang members to form the hip hop supergroup "Full Circle". [11] Jay Whiss released his debut studio album Peace of Mind on March 3, 2020. It contained features from Puffy L'z, and fellow Prime members Donnie and Jimmy Prime. It contained production from Toronto natives Murda Beatz, Richie Souf and CuBeatz. [12]

In August 2025, Jimmy Prime announced on his social media account that Jay Whiss passed away in March 2025 due to complications with brain cancer. [13] The family chose to keep the matter private during the time of his death, announcing it to the public 4 months later. [14] As a result, the group has since been on indefinite hiatus, although they continue to release music under their individual aliases.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

Filmography

Documentaries
YearTitleFeaturingNotes
2017 6ix Rising Jimmy Prime
Jay Whiss
Documentary showcasing Toronto's hip-hop, featuring numerous Canadian rap artists
2019Remember Me, TorontoJay WhissShort film by Mustafa the Poet

References

  1. "Where I Came From: Toronto | Features | Clash Magazine". Clashmusic.com. March 12, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  2. "Prime Boys Want the Whole World to Respect Toronto Rap". VICE. November 20, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  3. "@champagnepapi's Instagram post: "I miss the 6!!! #Toronto #JimmyPrimeNamedIt #The6 #Home #SummerInToronto #Paradise"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021.
  4. "Toronto's Prime Boys Are Getting the World's Attention". The Fader. April 19, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  5. "Toronto group Prime Boys release the "Tinted" video". HipHopCanada. March 5, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  6. "Listen to the Prime Boys Debut Album "Koba World" Now". Complex. July 25, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  7. Gallant, Jacques (July 2, 2018). "Queen St. W. shooting victim remembered as a selfless multitasker who cared for family". www.thestar.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  8. Lowers, Erin (August 13, 2018). "Prime Boys Use Collective Power to Unite Their Toronto Community on 'Koba World'". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  9. Slingerland, Calum (July 27, 2018). "Stream Prime Boys' Debut Album 'Koba World'". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  10. "6ixBuzz features some of Toronto's best on NorthernSound". HipHopCanada. December 13, 2019.
  11. Witmer, Phil (September 14, 2016). ""Full Circle" Features Pretty Much Everyone in Toronto Rap and It Slaps".
  12. "Jay Whiss of Prime drops Peace of Mind album debut". HipHopCanada. March 5, 2020.
  13. "Instagram: Jimmy Prime announces Jay Whiss's death". www.instagram.com.
  14. "Jay Whiss from the Prime Boys passed away 5 months ago". YouTube . August 2025.
  15. "‎Koba World by Prime Boys on Apple Music". Music.apple.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.