Rapper Chino XL dies suddenly at 50 as music star’s daughters pay heartbreaking tribute

RAPPER Chino XL has died suddenly at the age of 50, his family has confirmed.

The musician from The Bronx, whose real name is Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, rose to fame in the 1990s with his debut album Here to Save You All.

Instagram/ chinoxl

Instagram/ chinoxl

A joint statement from his family was released on the rapper’s Instagram page on Tuesday morning.

“Our father had many titles — King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero — but the most important one was Girl Dad,” his four daughters Chynna, Bella, Lyric, and Kiyana said.

“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.”

As well as his daughters, Barbosa leaves behind his stepson Shawn, his five grandchildren, his mother, and his ex-long-term partner Stephanie.

The rapper died on Sunday morning at his home leaving his family “devastated” the statement added with no cause of death given.

Further details about a memorial will be released at a later time.

Meanwhile, his family has asked for privacy as they grieve.

Fellow musicians and fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to Barbosa.

Rap Booklets paid tribute to the artist on Instagram by sharing an image of the cover of his debut album while “sending their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of ChinoXL.”

“Damn…I truly can’t believe I’m saying this….#RestInBeats to my brother @chinoxl at only 50 years young,” producer Andrew Laidlaw who worked with Barbosa for decades wrote in a post .

“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)

“This one HURTS.”

“RIP to CHINO XL… I’m gonna miss you, big bro,” friend and fellow rapper A-F-R-O wrote on X.

‘LIFE’S WORK’

Meanwhile, fans called him “one of the greatest ever” and a “top tier” artist as they mourned his loss just days after he featured on hip-hop legend Rakims’ new album G.O.D.’S NETWORK (REB7RTH).

“First he drops the verse of the century then drops the mic permanently.., R.I.P #Legend,” one fan wrote.

Who is Chino XL?

Chino XL, whose real name is Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, grew up in The Bronx in New York City after being born in New Jersey in 1974.

The rapper rose to fame in the early 1990s after being signed by Rick Rubin at American Recordings at just 16 years old.

His first work was a collaboration with producer Kaoz called Art of Origin before Barbosa took on his solo career with his first album Here to Save You All in 1996 which featured the single Kreep.

Chino’s decades-long career saw him drop a number of albums including I Told You So in 2001, Poison Pen in 2006, and RICANstruction: The Black Rosary in 2012 which won HHUG Album of the Year.

The rapper has also featured on several collaborations including most recently, Rakim’s album G.O.D.’s Network: REB7RTH.

Barbosa featured on the track Pendulum Swing which he said was an “honor.”

Alongside his music, the rapper also did a stint in Hollywood after signing with talent manager Stacey Castro.

He appeared in Reno 911!, CSI: Miami, and the film Alex & Emma starring Kate Hudson, alongside a number of other indie films.

Immediately after the album’s song Pendulum Swing featuring Chino XL and La the Darkman was released, fans praised Barbosa’s verse as one of his best.

“This is EASILY an all time top 5 @chinoxl verse…sheeessshh,” one fan wrote with fire emojis .

“Yea you definitely left earth when you recorded that verse,” another eerily posted on Saturday.

Others had been excited about the rapper’s future following the collaboration.

“Exactly why this year is an exciting year and hip-hop. ChinoXL strikes again. The man never misses. On target,” one fan wrote.

Chino XL's family statement

THE death of Chino XL has sent shockwaves through the rap industry with fellow music stars paying tributes. His family has also released a statement

“Our father had many titles — King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero — but the most important one was Girl Dad,” his four daughters Chynna, Bella, Lyric, and Kiyana said.

“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.”

Speaking about Rakim’s new album on Instagram, Barbosa said he felt “blessed to be a part of this project” before saying it was a “childhood dream” come true and the culmination of his “life’s work.”

“It’s an honor of high merit,” he said before detailing the high praise fellow musicians gave him about the verse.

“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!

“Can’t wait for the world to hear the work!”

Instagram/ chinoxl