Chino XL Reportedly Dead at 50, Tributes Pour in From Chuck D, Joe Budden, and More

Chino XL, real name Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, was born in the Bronx and grew up in East Orange, New Jersey. He gained recognition with his debut album Here to Save You All in 1996. Just last Friday, he contributed to Rakim’s first album in 15 years, G.O.D’s Network (REB7RTH), an appearance Chino showed a lot of pride about, calling it a “childhood dream.” The record features a number of late MCs, namely Nipsey Hussle, Fred the Godson, DMX, and Prodigy.

“Blessed to be a part of this @thegodrakim project!!” Chino wrote on Instagram. “It’s an honor of high merit!! … 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!”