Legendary rapper Chino XL, born Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, has passed away at the age of 50. The hip-hop community mourns his loss and celebrates his legacy.
Iconic rapper Chino XL, whose birth name is Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, has died at the age of 50. The news of his passing was first shared by the Instagram account Rap Booklets, which honored the emcee in a post dedicated to his album “Here to Save You All.”
We at Rap Booklets send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Chino XL, who passed away today at the age of 50,” the post’s caption read.
Following the announcement, hip-hop fans quickly took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to pay tribute to Chino XL and his impact on the genre. Many expressed their gratitude for his contributions and reminisced about his lyrical prowess.
“Rest in Power Chino XL. I’m grateful I had a chance to see you perform just a bit over two months ago. You will go down in history as one of the greatest lyricists of all time @CHINOXL,” one user wrote. Another added, “You were a giant, super supreme, top tier lyricist of the highest caliber. A real-life hip hop superhero and a personal favorite. Absolutely gutted to hear the news. Condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans.”
A third shared, “Chino XL. Man. He was such a talented MC and great person. ‘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.” Meanwhile, another user reflected, “Damn. This one really hits hard. Brother never got his due but he was incredible on the mic. RIP Chino XL. There will never be another one like him.”
Chino XL’s rap career began in the early 1990s, but he rose to fame in 1996 with the release of his debut album “Here to Save You All.” The album included the track “Riiiot!,” which sparked a notable feud with the late rapper Tupac Shakur. In the song, Chino XL rapped, “By this industry, I’m trying to not get f–ked like Tupac in jail,” prompting Tupac to retaliate in his diss track “Hit ‘Em Up.”
Tupac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” not only targeted Chino XL but also several other hip-hop figures, including Diddy, the Notorious B.I.G, and members of Junior Mafia and Mobb Deep. The song intensified the infamous East Coast-West Coast rivalry that contributed to the tragic deaths of Tupac in September 1996 and B.I.G in March 1997.
It remains uncertain whether Chino XL and Tupac reconciled before Tupac’s untimely death. However, a Reddit user claimed that Chino XL paid tribute to Tupac at a concert a few years ago, suggesting that any animosity may have been laid to rest.
Chino XL’s death marks a significant loss for the hip-hop community. As fans and fellow artists remember his contributions to the genre, his legacy as one of the greatest lyricists in hip-hop history will undoubtedly endure.
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