Veteran New York rapper Chino XL (born Derek Emmanuel Barbosa) passed away in his home on Sunday morning (7/28) at age 50. A statement posted to his Instagram by his family reads:

The family of Derek Keith Barbosa, professionally known as Chino XL, is devastated to relay the news of his passing. Chino died on the morning of Sunday, July 28, 2024 at home. He was 50.

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.

In a joint statement, his daughters reflect: “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 family asks for privacy at this time. Details of a memorial will be forthcoming.

No cause of death has been reported at this time.

An obituary on Rolling Stone reads in part:

[His 1996 debut album Here to Save You All] included the track “Riiiot!” that name-dropped a slew of celebrities including OJ Simpson, John Belushi, Magic Johnson, and also featured the notorious line, “I’m trying not to get fucked like Tupac in jail,” within the first verse. The song is said to have sparked a feud with Tupac Shakur, and the following June, the All Eyez on Me rapper dropped diss track “Hit ‘Em Up,” which took aim at former friend Notorious B.I.G. and the Bad Boy crew, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Mobb Deep, and Barbosa.

After he was released from his contract with American Recordings, Barbosa signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1997, but his sophomore album faced several delays. He was later dropped by the label after their Black music department shuttered. Although I Told You So, eventually released, it wouldn’t be until 2001 via Metro Records.

Chino continued to stay active and his most recent album was a 2023 collaboration with Stu Bangas, God’s Carpenter. He also appeared on albums over the years by Tech N9ne, Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge, Apollo Brown, R.A. the Rugged Man, Canibus, Vinnie Paz, the new Rakim album, and more.

Since his passing, tributes have come in from Chuck D, Open Mike Eagle, R.A. the Rugged Man, Evidence, Danny Diablo, Czarface, Stu Bangas, Sage Francis, and others, and you can read those below.

Rest in peace, Chino.

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