Rapper Chino XL dies suddenly at 50 as music star’s daughters pay heartbreaking tribute
RAPPER Chino XL has died suddenly at the age of 50, his family has confirmed.
The musician from The Bronx, whose real name is Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, rose to fame in the 1990s with his debut album Here to Save You All.
"And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic.
"The main thing we are feeling now is that our Dad is at peace, and so we are at peace."
As well as his daughters, Barbosa leaves behind his stepson Shawn, his five grandchildren, his mother, and his ex-long-term partner Stephanie.
The rapper died on Sunday morning at his home leaving his family "devastated," the statement revealed.
No further details surrounding the music artist's cause of death were released.
Further details about a memorial will be released at a later time.
Meanwhile, his family has asked for privacy as they grieve.
Fellow musicians and fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to Barbosa.
"Damn…I truly can’t believe I’m saying this….#RestInBeats to my brother @chinoxl at only 50 years young," producer Andrew Laidlaw who worked with Barbosa for decades wrote in a .
"And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic.
"The main thing we are feeling now is that our Dad is at peace, and so we are at peace."
Speaking about Rakim's new album on Instagram, Barbosa he felt "blessed to be a part of this project" before saying it was a "childhood dream" come true and the culmination of his "life's work."
"It's an honor of high merit," he said before detailing the high praise fellow musicians gave him about the verse.
"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.
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"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!
"Can’t wait for the world to hear the work!"