Chino XL dead at 50: Rapper remembered by peers including Chuck D, A-F-R-O and Joe Budden

Rapper Chino XL has died at the age of 50, AllHipHop reported Monday, citing an inside source.

The East Coast-based musical artist, whose real name was Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, was born in the Bronx April 8, 1974 and subsequently relocated to New Jersey, according to AllHipHop.

Chino XL had been active in music from his teens, signing with the American Recordings label from producer Rick Rubin when he was 16, according to a bio from iHeart. In 1991, he and producer Kaoz composed a rap tandem called Art of Origin, after which he pursued a solo career, according to the outlet.

Chino XL rose to fame in the mid-1990s with his first album, 1996's Here to Save You All, which included the single Kreep. He followed up with albums such as 2001's I Told You So, 2006's Poison Pen and 2012's RICANstruction: The Black Rosary.

Chino XL's cause of death was not announced as of Monday evening. 

Rapper Chino XL has died at the age of 50, AllHipHop reported Monday, citing an inside source. Pictured in April in an Instagram post 

The musical artist was pictured in October of 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia 

Other musical collaborations Chino XL was active in include 2008's Something Sacred with Playalitical; and 2023's God's Carpenter with Stu Bangas, according to iHeart. 

Chino XL had been professionally busy as of late, as he collaborated with Rakim on the track Pendulum Swing for the album G.O.D.’s Network: REB7RTH. 

He said in response to a tweet last month from fellow artist Configa, 'I’m also proudly on the new @OfficialRakim project as well!!'

He also was active as an actor, having appeared on TV shows such as Reno 911!, CSI: Miami and The Young and the Restless, according to iMDb. 

He had also appeared in motion pictures including Alex & Emma, The Beat, Crime Partners, Playas Ball and Young Cesar.

Chino XL was remembered by a number of colleagues and fans as news of his passing circulated on Monday evening. 

Producer Domingo told AllHipHop, 'Chino XL was one of the best lyricists in the game' and a 'legendary artist and friend.'

Chino XL was 'extremely talented since the day we met in the early 90's,' Domingo said.

The musician-actor was pictured in 2004 at the Los Angeles Film Festival

The East Coast-based musical artist was remembered by a number of colleagues and fans as news of his passing circulated on Monday evening 

Chino XL rose to fame in the mid-1990s with his first album, 1996's Here to Save You All, which he followed up with 2001's I Told You So and 2006's Poison Pen 

Chino XL had been professionally busy as of late, as he collaborated with Rakim on the track Pendulum Swing for the album G.O.D.’s Network: REB7RTH, talking about it in a tweet

Public Enemy's Chuck D called the late musical artist his 'brother in rhyme & Art'

Public Enemy's Chuck D said in a post on X/Twitter, '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.'

Chuck D added that Chino XL supported his events, and he supported his music.

Rapper A-F-R-O said: 'RIP to CHINO XL .. I'm gonna miss you, big bro; while Joe Budden said, 'Damn… RIP to the legend Chino XL.'

Musician Crook said, 'We spoke on the phone the other day and laughed. Our careers have been tied together since the Wake Up Show freestyles decades ago. I’m f***ed up. Rest in Peace my brother Chino XL.'

Rap artist Emilio Rojas called the late musical artist 'such a talented MC and great person.'

He added: 'Chino XL. Man ... here to save you 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 ever met. Wow.'

Musical artist Page Kennedy looked back on more than two decades of friendship with Chino XL.

'This one hurts,' Kennedy said. '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.'

Rap artist Emilio Rojas called the late musical artist 'such a talented MC and great person'

Rapper A-F-R-O said: 'RIP to CHINO XL .. I'm gonna miss you, big bro'

Joe Budden said, 'Damn… RIP to the legend Chino XL'

Musical artist Page Kennedy looked back on more than two decades of friendship 

Rapper Sage Francis said, 'This is shocking and sudden to say the least'

VladTV.com's DJ Vlad said the hip-hop genre 'took a big loss today' with the artist's passing

Recording artist Evidence said, 'Hurts to write, RIP Chino XL. I’m not thinking about one rap he wrote right now, just a really good person we lost. RIP Chino'

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, 'Hurts to write, RIP Chino XL. I’m not thinking about one rap he wrote right now, just a really good person we lost. RIP Chino.'

Rapper Sage Francis said, 'I'm stunned to learn that @CHINOXL has passed away. He was so active for so long…this is shocking and sudden to say the least. I was looking really forward to rocking with him again this year. Our condolences go to his family and friends.'

Musical artist Dante Ross called his late friend 'talented and fearless,' adding that 'he gave no F's.'

Ross added: 'Dam I just saw that Chino XL passed ... we were friends and fans of each other for 2 decades. I knew him before he had a deal.

'Really nice cat, he cracked me up. My condolences to his closest friends and family Rest Easy Chino.'

VladTV.com's DJ Vlad said the hip-hop genre 'took a big loss today' with the artist's passing: 'RIP Chino XL. Always admired him as a lyricist. His first album was awesome.'