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Chino XL‘s family has released a statement confirming the rapper and actor unfortunately passed due to suicide.
In a statement provided to AllHipHop on Friday (September 27), the 50-year-old’s family explained that they were sharing the news during Suicide Awareness Month with hopes to help anyone else who may be struggling.
“With the most profound sadness imaginable, we share the news that our beloved father decided to end his own Life,” the statement reads. “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 Ventura County Medical Examiner’s office lists his official cause of death as asphyxia as a result of ligature hanging.
Chino, real name Derek Keith Barbosa, passed away on July 28. A statement to his Instagram page days later confirmed his passing.
“Chino is survived by his children, Chynna, Bella, Lyric, Kiyana; his stepson Shawn; grandchildren Emmy, Emery, Chris, Luis, and Dyani; his mother, Carole; and his former longtime partner Stephanie,” it read.
In a joint statement, his daughters reflected: ‘Our father had many titles — King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero — but the most important one was Girl Dad. 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.’”
They concluded by saying: “The family asks for privacy at this time. Details of a memorial will be forthcoming.”
Tributes quickly poured in from around the Hip Hop community, with the likes of Chuck D, Joe Budden and ScHoolboy Q offering their condolences.
Chuck mourned Chino’s passing, along with the recent death of DJ Polo, by writing on X (formerly Twitter): “This ones a tough one. I admired Dj Polo as a @hiphopgods Peer. @CHINOXL 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.”
Budden simply added: “Damn… RIP to the legend Chino XL,” while Q wrote: “Rip CHino XL.”
KXNG Crooked, a frequent collaborator of Chino’s, posted a heartfelt message that read: “We spoke on the phone the other day and laughed. Our careers have been tied together since the Wake Up Show freestyles decades ago. I’m fucked up. Rest in Peace my brother Chino XL.”
