The family of late rapper Chino XL have confirmed that the musician and actor died by suicide.
Chino XL – real name Derek Keith Barbosa – died at the age of 50 in late July. At the time of the initial announcement, no cause of death was shared. However, his daughters have shared a new statement to Rolling Stone confirming that he had taken his own life.
His daughters wrote to Rolling Stone: “With the most profound sadness imaginable, we share the news that our beloved father decided to end his own life. It’s been the most painful and personal experience of our lives but in honor of Suicide Awareness Month, we decided to share this truth. Dad would hope that this news may help someone else stay alive.”
The statement included that the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s office “lists his official cause of death as asphyxia as a result of ligature hanging”. The girls went on to write that Barbosa had suffered from “congenital heart failure in 2020 and stage 4 prostate cancer earlier this year,” and had “struggled with life-long depression.”
Chino XL was born in the Bronx, New York, and rose to prominence in the 90s as a teenager in the borough’s burgeoning rap scene. Throughout his career, he released four studio albums, two collaborative albums and one EP.
He also acted in film and television, including guest star roles in the Comedy Central series Reno 911! and the CBS show CSI: Miami, as well as a co-starring role alongside Kate Hudson and Luke Wilson in 2003’s Rob Reiner-directed Alex & Emma. He also performed in many indie films, including Brandon Sonnier’s The Beat, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2003.
Among his biggest hits were ‘No Complex’, ‘Sickology 101’ featuring Tech N9ne, and ‘The Anthem’ featuring Sway and King Tech.
Last year, Chino XL released ‘God’s Carpenter’, a 12-song collaborative album with Stu Bangas, which also featured Vinnie Paz on the single ‘Murder Rhyme Kill’.
Following the news of his death, several rappers paid tribute to the late Chino XL. Chuck D wrote on social media: “Chino XL was my brother in rhyme & art. He encouraged my graphics forward. We exchanged art books. He looked out to protect my lyric books better. He supported my events. We supported his music & art”
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