Chino XL, the rapper and actor, has died, his family announced in a statement posted to his Instagram account on Tuesday. He was 50.
Born Derek Keith Barbosa, Chino XL passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday; no cause of death was revealed.
“Chino is survived by his children, Chynna, Bella, Lyric, Kiyana; his stepson Shawn; grandchildren Emmy, Emery, Chris, Luis, and Dyani; his mother, Carole; and his former longtime partner Stephanie,” the statement shared.
“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,” Chino XL’s daughters added in a joint message. “The main thing we are feeling now is that our Dad is at peace, and so we are at peace.”
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Born in the Bronx and raised in East Orange, New Jersey, Chino formed the Art of Origin duo with Kerri Chandler, and they signed to Def Jam Recordings via Warner in 1991. Chino XL went on to reach acclaim in his solo career.
His Here to Save You All debut — featuring collabs with Kool Keith and Ras Kass — arrived in 1996 and reached No. 56 on the Top R&B Albums chart. Chino followed up with I Told You So in 2001 and Poison Pen in 2006, as well as 2012’s Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary.
Chino XL has notched collaborations over the years with Kool G Rap, Proof, J. Dilla and B-Real, among others. He also earned some stripes in Hollywood as an actor in movies such as Alex & Emma, while appearing in television shows such as CSI: Miami, The Young and the Restless and Reno 911!
More recently on the music side, Chino connected with Stu Bangaz for their God’s Carpenter joint project in 2023. He also made an appearance on “Pendulum Swing,” which landed on Rakim’s G.O.Ds Network – Reb7rth album on July 26.
There has been an outpouring of support from the hip-hop community since the news of his death.
“My uncle knew i hate giving the internet even a fraction of my pain if it isnt on vinyl. There are no amount of tears that could ever bring me peace. No amount of words that could ever bring me solace,” his niece, Lady London, wrote in part in a lengthy Instagram tribute. “Uncie, Thank you for nerding out with me. For gifting me with the love of words and knowledge. Literature and rhythmical composition. For your heart… larger than your body (quite literally) . Your Legacy lives on, forever. I promise im gonna take it all the way there.”
“Damn… RIP to the legend Chino XL,” Joe Budden wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Ice-T also remembered his friend on social media. “This one REALLY hurts… Yesterday morning I got the awful news and did not want to believe it was true,” the musician and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star wrote on Instagram alongside a black-and-white photo of the late artist. “I’ve lost so many homies but THIS one got me Fd up. People know he was an incredible MC. But Chino was a truly GREAT MAN. This is a tragedy. My love and condolences go out to his family. Homie you are loved by so many. Rest in Peace Homie.”
This story first appeared on Billboard.
