N.J. rap legend Chino XL reportedly dead at 50

Iconic rapper Chino XL, born Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, has died at the age of 50. He passed away on July 28, 2024.

The news of Chino XL’s passing was first reported by the Instagram account Rap Booklets, which honored the rapper with a post dedicated to his 1996 album Here to Save You All.

The caption read, “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.”

Hip-hop fans quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to pay tribute to Chino XL and reflect on his impact on the genre.

Chino XL began his rap career in the early 1990s and gained fame with his debut album Here to Save You All. The album was notable for sparking a feud with the late rapper Tupac Shakur.

In the song “Riiiot!” from this album, Chino XL rapped, “By this industry, I’m trying to not get f–ked like 2Pac in jail.” Tupac responded with his famous diss track “Hit ‘Em Up,” targeting Chino XL and several other figures in the hip-hop community.

It is unclear if Chino XL and Tupac reconciled before Tupac’s death in September 1996. However, some fans recall that Chino XL paid a small tribute to Tupac at a concert in the years following Tupac’s passing.

Chino XL’s legacy continues to influence and inspire the hip-hop community.