Chino XL, the celebrated New York rapper whose bold lyrics earned him acclaim in the hip hop community, has died. He was 50.
On Tuesday, the family of the late rapper confirmed his death on social media, stating that they were “devastated to relay the news.” Chino, whose legal name was Derek Keith Barbosa, died at his home on Sunday, July 28. No cause of death was disclosed.
In a joint statement, Chino’s four daughters paid tribute to him, writing, “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.”
Following news of his death, numerous artists shared tributes to Chino on social media, reflecting on the rapper’s legacy.
“This one REALLY hurts,” wrote Law & Order: SVU star Ice-T. “Yesterday morning I got the awful news and did not want to believe it was true.. Chino was so ALIVE.. What!!? Unfortunately it was true.. I rarely shed a tear… 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.”
Retired rapper Joe Budden chimed in on X, writing, “Damn… RIP to the legend Chino XL,” while rapper Evidence noted that the news “hurts to write.”
KXNG Crooked expressed shock in his own post, writing that he recently spoke to Chino on the phone. “Our careers have been tied together since the Wake Up Show freestyles decades ago,” read his X post. “I’m f—ed up. Rest in Peace my brother Chino XL.”
Producer Andrew Laidlaw paid tribute to his late collaborator on Instagram, writing, “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 to ever touch a mic (and I told him this personally many times too)”
Born in Bronx, NY on April 8, 1974, Chino discovered his interest in music at a young age and was offered his first record deal at just 12 years old. The rapper, who was raised in New Jersey, often credited coming-of-age during hip hop’s formative years as a factor in his success.
“Everybody rhymed,” he previously told Beat Magazine of his school days. “There were some that took it more serious than others but everyone was banging on the tables in the lunchroom messing around with wordplay, it was the thing to do. We ate, slept and breathed it.”
He added, “Some people breakdanced, some people did graffiti, hip hop was very much alive. You didn’t think about what you were doing, it was just there.”
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Chino went on to sign with Rick Rubin’s American Recordings record label at 16 years old and soon formed the rap duo, Art of Origin, with producer Kaoz (real name Kerri Chandler). They released only two singles before splitting up, at which point Chino pursued a solo career.
His debut album, Here To Save You All, arrived in 1996 to critical acclaim. The next 20 years would see Chino release several more albums, including 2001’s I Told You So, 2005’s Poison Pen, and 2012’s Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary. Amongst his biggest hits were tracks “Kreep,” “No Complex,” “Sickology 101,” and “The Anthem.”
Outside of his rap career, Chino also showed off his acting chops with small roles in The Young and the Restless, Reno 911! and CSI: Miami. He also appeared in the 2003 rom-com Alex & Emma.
Chino is survived by children Chynna, Bella, Lyric, Kiyana, and stepson Shawn; grandchildren Emmy, Emery, Chris, Luis, and Dyani; his mother, Carole; and his former partner, Stephanie.