Chino XL, a multi-instrumentalist singer known for his work in rap and film, died Sunday morning (July 28), Variety reports. He was 50 years old.
Although the cause of his death has not yet been revealed, his family released a statement on their Instagram page, saying he died at home.
Born Derek Keith Barbosa in the Bronx in 1974, the late artist grew up in East Orange, New Jersey, and took the name “Chino” after his nickname growing up, according to Variety. As noted PeopleHe was just 16 when he signed with Rick Rubin’s Def American Recordings via Warner Bros. in 1991. Prior to his solo work, he teamed up with Kerri Chandler to create Art of Origin.
The Per Chino website (via People), Here to save you all marked his first solo album in 1996, consisting of both “conventional rap tracks” and “autobiographical tracks.” Subsequent albums included I told you (2001), Poisoned pen (2006), Something sacred (2008), Rican Instruction: The Black Rosary (2012), and God’s Carpenter (2023).
Outside of music, Chino has also found work as an actor. According to IMDb, Chino’s first film credit came in Neighborhood Wars (2002). He then participated in Rhythm (2003), Alex and Emma (2003), The Young and the Restless (2004), Reno 911! (2004), and CSI: Miami.
His daughters wrote a statement in which they shared that their “father had many titles — King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero — but the most important was Daughter’s Dad.”
“And what he brought to us most in this role was his strength, his frankness and his ability to be very realistic,” they continued. “What we feel most now is that our father is at peace, and so are we.”
Chino’s family has also asked for privacy, saying that “details of a memorial service will be shared shortly.” As noted in the Instagram post above announcing his death, he is survived by his four children, his stepson, his five grandchildren, his mother, and his former partner.
