Chino XL has passed away. The hip-hop veteran and father was just 50 years old. No official cause of death has yet been shared.
"Damn... RIP to the legend Chino XL 🙏🏾," Joe Budden tweeted on Monday evening.
Chuck D posted a tribute to his "brother in rhyme & art," also referencing the passing of DJ Polo, which was reported over the weekend.
"This ones a tough one," the Public Enemy MC wrote. "I admired Dj Polo as a @hiphopgods PEer. @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. He supported my events. We supported his music & 🙏🏿rt."
Rapper/actor A-F-R-O also shared a message as word of Chino XL's death started circulating on social media. "RIP to CHINO XL .. I'm gonna miss you, big bro 🕊️," he wrote alongside a couple pictures of them together.
A-F-R-O then told another user that Chino's death was confirmed, which was echoed by AllHipHop via an "inside source."
Chino XL, real name Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, was born in the Bronx and grew up in East Orange, New Jersey. He gained recognition with his debut album Here to Save You All in 1996. Just last Friday, he contributed to Rakim's first album in 15 years, G.O.D's Network (REB7RTH), an appearance Chino showed a lot of pride about, calling it a "childhood dream." The record features a number of late MCs, namely Nipsey Hussle, Fred the Godson, DMX, and Prodigy.
"Blessed to be a part of this @thegodrakim project!!" Chino wrote on Instagram. "It’s an honor of high merit!! ... Got a call from @official_kurupt, top 7 Mc for me easily!! 🙏🏽 who is on the first single. Going off about my verse on there, saying the first 2 bars alone! had him wilding and stuck when he heard them!! That was enough to make my life’s work, worth it ⚡️⚡️⚡️ My dude and Curator of this entire project @almightym80 made this complete bucket list, childhood dream possible, sincere gratitude Whoadie, the place on my wall for the plaque to go, is already picked out !!! You killed it!"
Chino XL is survived by his children Chynna, Bella, Lyric, and Kiyana; his stepson Shawn; grandchildren Emmy, Emery, Chris, Luis, and Dyani; his mother Carole; and his former longtime partner Stephanie.
In a joint statement by his family, his daughters shared via email: “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.”
After Chino XL's '96 debut, he dropped three more solo albums: I Told You So in 2001, Poison Pen in 2006, and Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary in 2012. One year ago, he and Stu Bangas teamed for the collab project God's Carpenter.
"I thank god that we made that album before he passed," the producer wrote on Monday. "We were working on another record, and I spoke to him this Saturday about it....Chino, ....myself and many others loved you bro. You were at the core, a great dude.... and a good friend. We will miss you Bro." Stu added that being a father was "a huge deal" to Chino.
Below, see what others on Twitter—including KXNG Crooked, Skyzoo, and Termanology—had to say in response to the death of Chino XL. One common thread running throughout the tributes is what an incredible man he was in the eyes of his friends, collaborators, and fans.
RIP Chino XL.
The family is asking for privacy at this time. Details of a memorial will be announced soon.