Jamie Prefontaine of the successful and controversial hip-hop band Winnipeg’s Most has passed away, died by Suicide, he was a Canadian musician and Winnipeg’s Most. He died on September 22, 2015.
“It’s impacting me a lot. I can’t speak for his family, but I know that they’re hurting a lot too, his wife and his kids. Jamie was my best friend,” said Illiano McKinney, a fellow performer who said the hip-hop community is devastated.
“The music scene is, definitely. And the native community is going to be different.
He changed native music and he opened the door for a lot of others like myself. I know a lot of things are going to change.
“Jamie is a true legend in Winnipeg hip hop.”
Winnipeg’s Most, comprised of Prefontaine, Jon-C (Billy Pierson) and Charlie Fettah (Tyler Rogers), was a force in local hip-hop music.
They debuted in the summer of 2010, won a handful of Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (APCMA) , including for best new artist, and were featured in Maclean’s magazine.
They followed that up with six more APCMAs in 2011.
But they also faced criticism for glorifying violence, drugs and gang lifestyles in the First Nations community.
And Prefontaine lived a similar life, spending time in and out of jail.
Prefontaine, better known by the stage name Brooklyn, died Tuesday at age 30.