Chino XL Dies at 50: Rapper Remembered by Peers Like Chuck D, AFRO, Joe Budden
Rapper Chino XL has died at the age of 50, AllHipHop they reported on Monday, citing a source within the organization.
Chino XL was born on April 8, 1974, in the Bronx and then moved to New Jersey, according to AllHipHop.
He rose to fame in the mid-1990s with his first album, 1996’s Here to Save You All, followed by 2001’s I Told You So and 2006’s Poison Pen.
He was also active as an actor, appearing in television shows such as Reno 911!, CSI: Miami and The Young and the Restless, according to iMDb.
The East Coast musician, whose real name was Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, was remembered by a number of colleagues and fans after news of his death broke on Monday evening.
Rapper Chino XL has died at the age of 50, AllHipHop reported Monday, citing an insider source. Pictured in an April Instagram post
The musician was photographed in Atlanta, Georgia in October 2012
Producer Domingo told AllHipHop, “Chino XL was one of the best lyricists in the industry” and a “legendary artist and friend.”
“Chino XL has been incredibly talented from the moment we met in the early 90s,” Domingo said.
Chuck D of Public Enemy said in a post on X/Twitter: ‘This is a tough one. I admired Dj Polo as @hiphopgods PEer. @CHINOXL was my brother in rhyme and art.
“He encouraged my graphics. We exchanged art books. He made sure my lyric books were better protected.”
Chuck D added that Chino XL supported his events and supported his music.
Rapper AFRO said: ‘RIP CHINO XL.. I’m gonna miss you big bro.’
Joe Budden said: ‘Damn… RIP to the legend Chino XL.’
Musician Crook said: ‘We spoke on the phone the other day and had a laugh.
“Our careers have been intertwined since the Wake Up Show freestyles decades ago. I’m totally screwed. Rest in peace, my brother Chino XL.”
The musician-actor was photographed at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2004
The East Coast-based musician was remembered by a number of colleagues and fans as news of his passing circulated Monday night
Public Enemy’s Chuck D called the late musician his ‘brother in rhyme and art’
Rapper Emilio Rojas called the late musician ‘such a talented MC and great person’
Rapper AFRO said: ‘RIP to CHINO XL .. Gonna miss you big bro’
Joe Budden said: ‘Damn… RIP to the legend Chino XL’
Musician Page Kennedy reflected on more than two decades of friendship
Rapper Emilio Rojas called the late musician “such a talented MC and amazing person.”
He added: ‘Chino XL. Man… here to save y’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’ve ever met. Wow.’
Musician Page Kennedy reflected on more than twenty years of friendship with Chino XL.
“This one hurts,” Kennedy said. “This has been my buddy since 2001. Gonna miss you, big bro. Our talks about rap, about being girl dads, about the gym and secrets. Gonna miss you, bro. #RIPChinoXL #MyBuffBarBro.”
Rapper Skyzoo said in a social media post: “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, “It hurts to write, RIP Chino XL. I’m not thinking about any rap he wrote, just a really good person we lost. RIP Chino.”
