Rapper and actor Chino XL (Derek Keith Barbosa) died on Sunday (July 28) at age 50.
Chino XL, a multi hyphenate known for his work in rap music and acting, died Sunday morning (July 28), Variety reports. He was 50.
While his cause of death has yet to be disclosed, his family issued a statement on his Instagram page, in which they shared that he passed away at home.
Born Derek Keith Barbosa in The Bronx in 1974, the late artist was raised in East Orange, New Jersey, and took on the name “Chino” from his nickname growing up, per Variety. As noted by People, he was just 16 years old when he signed with Rick Rubin’s Def American Recordings via Warner Bros in 1991. Prior to his solo work, he partnered with Kerri Chandler to create Art of Origin.
Per Chino’s website (via People), Here To Save You All marked his debut solo album in 1996, comprised of both “conventional rap tracks” and “autobiographical tracks.
