Rap community reacts to Chino XL's death at 50

Rapper Chino XL, whose birth name is Derek Keith Barbosa, died on July 28, 2024, at the age of 50. His family confirmed the news on his Instagram page on July 30, after his daughters, Kiyana, Bella Chynna, and Lyric, released a statement.

“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,” the statement read.

The family requested privacy in their time of grief and said that details regarding a memorial will be announced soon. The cause of death is unknown at the time of this article.

Following Chino XL's demise, tributes flooded social media to praise and remember the rapper. The rap community came together to mourn the loss of a lyrical legend, with Joe Budden tweeting:

"Damn... RIP to the legend Chino XL."

Musician Stu Bangas, who worked with Chino on their 2023 collaborative album God's Carpenter, paid homage to the rapper with a heartfelt message on X, reflecting on their collaborative journey spanning over 13 years.

He added that the pair were in the process of working on another album and had last discussed it on Saturday, the day before his death. Bangas also included a photo of the two, calling Chino "a great dude" and "a good friend."

Other emcees who paid tribute to Chino XL include Chuck D, Skyzoo, Page Kennedy, and Evidence, among others.

"This ones a tough one. 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," Chuck D 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," rapper Skyzoo wrote on X.

"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," rapper Page Kennedy tweeted.

"i’m not thinking about one rap he wrote right now, just a really good person we lost. RIP Chino," rapper and record producer Evidence tweeted.

Rapper Bun B, who previously collaborated with Chino on songs like Cross Your Heart, posted a picture of the late rapper on Instagram with a touching tribute.

“This is @chinoxl he was my brother. He was a man of the people. He was strong and proud. He was one of the greatest to ever write rhymes. Intimidation on two feet. But a heart of pure gold. I loved my brother and I will miss my brother. As many others will. My prayers for his soul, his family and friends and all who supported him. Hip hop sheds a tear tonight. Long live Chino XL. Rest in paradise," Bun B captioned the post.

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Chino XL's music career explored

Hailing from The Bronx, Chino XL exploded in the rap industry with the release of his debut album, Here To Save You All, in 1996 when he was 22. The rapper has since released three studio albums, I Told You So (2001), Poison Pen (2006), and Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary (2012).

His latest music came in the form of a feature in the song Pendulum Swing from Rakim's latest album, G.O.D's Network (REB7RTH), released on July 25, 2024. Chino XL took to social media to announce his excitement for the song, calling it "an honor of high merit."

Chino released two collaborative albums, Something Sacred with Playalitical in 2008 and God's Carpenter with Stu Bangas in 2023. The rapper also dabbled in acting, appearing on TV shows like CSI: Miami and Reno 911! and movies like Alex & Emma and The Beat.

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Chino XL is survived by his mother, daughters, stepson, and five grandchildren.