RAPPER Chino XL died at the age of 50 on July 28, 2024.
The Bronx musician became well-known in the 1990s after releasing his first album, Here to Save You All.
His family confirmed the tragic news in a statement without further details of the cause of death given and asked for privacy as they grieve.
Chino XL, real name Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, was an American actor and rapper.
He was born on April 8, 1974 in the Bronx, New York and grew up in East Orange, New Jersey.
Derek was of Puerto Rican and African American descent.
He was raised by his single mother after she was abandoned by his father during the pregnancy.
At the age of sixteen, the rapper was signed by Rick Rubin at American Recordings, at the time a member of the Warner Bros. Records family.
Before beginning his solo career in 1996, which featured the track Kreep, Derek worked as a producer with Kaoz on a project titled Art of Origin.
Chino XL released several albums over the course of his two decades-long career, including I Told You So in 2001, Poison Pen in 2006, and RICANstruction: The Black Rosary in 2012, which took home the HHUG Album of the Year award.
The rap star was most recently featured on Rakim’s album G.O.D.’s Network: REB7RTH
The musician described being a featured artist on the song Pendulum Swing as a “honour.”
“And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic.”
Chino's daughters in a statement
In addition to releasing tracks, the rapper attempted his luck in Hollywood after signing with talent manager, Stacey Castro.
Among many other independent films, he starred in Reno 911!, CSI: Miami and Alex & Emma, alongside Kate Hudson.
Barbosa is survived by his four daughters, his stepson Shawn, his five grandchildren, his mother, and his ex-long-term partner Stephanie.
In a joint statement on the rapper’s Instagram, his daughters Chynna, Bella, Lyric, and Kiyana said they were “devastated” at the loss.
The statement read:“Our father had many titles — King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero — but the most important one was Girl Dad.
“And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic.
“The main thing we are feeling now is that our Dad is at peace, and so we are at peace.”
Friends and other musicians have paid their respects to Barbosa on social media.
Rap Booklets honoured the musician on Instagram, posting a picture of his first album cover along with a message expressing their “sincere sympathies to the family and friends of ChinoXL.”
Producer Andrew Laidlaw who worked with Barbosa for decades wrote in a post: “Damn… I truly can’t believe I’m saying this… .#RestInBeats to my brother @chinoxl at only 50 years young.
“I have known him, worked with him and built with him over the last 20 years (and have been a fan for the last 30 years).
“I’m just glad that we got to collaborate on some AMAZING music – the last time being only 3 years ago.. One of the GREATEST ever to touch a mic (and I told him this personally many times too).
“This one HURTS.”
Friend and fellow rapper A-F-R-O posted his tribute on X, saying: “RIP to CHINO XL.. I’m gonna miss you, big bro.”
Producer Domingo told AllHipHop: “Chino XL was one of the best lyricists in the game.”
Musician Crook said: “We spoke on the phone the other day and laughed. Our careers have been tied together since the Wake Up Show freestyles decades ago.
“I’m f***ed up. Rest in Peace my brother Chino XL.”
Public Enemy’s Chuck D said in a post on X: “@CHINOXL was my brother in rhyme & Art. He encouraged my graphics forward. We exchanged art books. He looked out to protect my lyric books better.”
Rap artist Emilio Rojas said: “Chino XL. Man … here to save you all stayed in rotation for me. Wow. Rest in peace king.
“Thank you for the music. Thank you for always being kind and humble to me and everyone you ever met. Wow.”
In a social media post, rapper Skyzoo wrote: “RIP to a lyrical warrior, the true one of one, Chino XL. Legends never die, and neither do lyrics, so you’re still here G.”
Recording artist Evidence said: “Hurts to write, RIP Chino XL. I’m not thinking about one rap he wrote right now, just a really good person we lost. RIP Chino.”
Rapper Sage Francis tweeted: “I’m stunned to learn that @CHINOXL has passed away. He was so active for so long…this is shocking and sudden to say the least.
“I was looking really forward to rocking with him again this year. Our condolences go to his family and friends.”
Musician Dante Ross described the late rapper as “talented and fearless”, adding that “he gave no Fs”.
Ross wrote: “Dam I just saw that Chino XL passed … we were friends and fans of each other for 2 decades. I knew him before he had a deal.
“Really nice cat, he cracked me up. My condolences to his closest friends and family Rest Easy Chino.”
Musical artist Page Kennedy reflected on his friendship with Chino XL spanning over two decades.
He said: “This one hurts. This been my dawg since 2001. Ima miss you big bro.
“Our conversations about rap about being girl dads about the gym and secrets. Ima miss you bro. #RIPChinoXL #MyBuffBarBro.”
Chino XL had an infamous feud with Tupac after targeting him in his debut album Here to Save You All.
On the track Riiiot!, he rapped: “By this industry, I’m trying to not get f***** like 2Pac in jail.”
Tupac avenged himself with the song “Hit’ Em Up”, regarded as one of the greatest diss songs ever.
On the track, he took aim at other rappers, including Biggie and Diddy, as well as those connected to Diddy’s Bad Boy Records.
Just three months after the song’s release, Tupac was shot dead in a drive-by shooting on September 7, 1996.
