Veteran rapper Chino XL died at his home Sunday morning at the age of 50. Throughout his life, the artist, born Derek Keith Barbosa, was closely connected to collaborators and friends who often considered him family. In the wake of his death, fellow musicians Chuck D, Sage Francis, Sarvis and others paid tribute to the iconic hip-hop figure.
“This is hard,” Chuck D wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “@CHINOXL was my brother in rhymes and art. He encouraged my drawings to go further. We traded art books. He made sure my lyric books were better protected. He supported my events. We supported his music and [Art]The musician posted his tribute alongside a hand-drawn photo of himself with Barbosa.
Sage Francis, founder of independent hip-hop label Strange Famous Records, remembered Barbosa in a series of posts that traced back to the first time he heard Chino XL. “This is the song that introduced me to Chino XL when he was part of a group called Art of Origin,” he wrote on X. He also shared a link to the 1992 track “No Slow Rollin',” which was created with producer Kaoz, who completed the duet with Barbosa.
“He was so active for so long… This is shocking and surprising to say the least. I was really looking forward to playing with him again this year. My condolences to his family and friends,” Francis added. In another post, he shared a direct message with the late musician in which they discussed collaborating. “Unfortunately, I decided not to bother Chino because I wasn’t in a rush for my next album,” he said. “It was wonderful to share the love and appreciation with him.”
Long Beach rapper KXNG Crooked shared a similar anecdote about his recent connection with Barbosa. “We talked on the phone the other day and laughed,” he recalled. “Our careers have been intertwined since the Wake Up Show freestyle decades ago. This devastated me. Rest in peace my brother Chino XL.”
Hip-hop group Czarface's Esoteric paid tribute to Barbosa in a post about his quality of character. “As a person, he made you feel welcome and worthy. As an MC and physical presence, he was intimidating. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who was so kind off the mic, yet so precise on the mic. He is truly one of a kind and will be missed,” he wrote.
Southern rap legend Bun B echoed that sentiment in his tribute, which he shared beneath a photo of Barbosa posted on Instagram. “He was my brother. He was a man of the people. He was strong and proud. He was one of the greatest rhymes ever written. He was scary on two feet. But he had a heart of pure gold,” he said. “I loved my brother and will miss him. So will so many others. Prayers for his soul, his family, his friends and everyone who supported him. Hip-hop is in tears tonight. Long live Chino XL. Rest in peace.”
According to a family statement posted on social media, Chino XL is survived by four daughters, Chyna, Bella, Lyric, and Kiana; his stepson Sean; his five grandchildren, Emmy, Emery, Chris, Louis, and Deani; his mother, Carol; and his former partner, Stephanie.
