Hip hop artist Chino XL died suddenly at the age of 50, according to his family.
The singer from The Bronx, whose real name is Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, became famous with his first album, Here to Save You All, in the 1990s.
The rapperās family put out a statement together on his Instagram page on Tuesday morning.
āThe most important thing about our dad was being a Girl Dad,ā his four daughters Chynna, Bella, Lyric, and Kiyana said. āHe was the King of Punchlines and the Puerto Rican Superhero.ā
āBut the things that made him great in that role were his strength, honesty, and ability to be very real.ā
āThe main thing we are feeling now is that our Dad is at peace, and so we are at peace.ā
He also leaves behind his stepson Shawn, his five grandchildren, his mother, and Stephanie, the woman he used to be in a relationship with.
It was said that the rapper died at home on Sunday morning, leaving his family ādevastated.ā No cause of death was given.
More information about a memorial will be made public at a later date.
His family has asked for privacy while they grieve.
Folks who know Barbosa and fans have paid tribute to him on social media.
The artist was remembered by Rap Booklets on Instagram, who posted a picture of the cover of his first album and said they were āsending their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of ChinoXL.ā
āDamnā¦āA producer who worked with Barbosa for many years wrote in a post, āI truly canāt believe Iām saying thisā¦#RestInBeats to my brother @chinoxl at only 50 years young.ā
āIāve known him for 30 years and worked with him and built with him for 20 years.ā
āIām just glad we got to work together on some GREAT musicāthe last time was only three years agoā¦ā. One of the BEST people who has ever touched a mic (I told him this many times).
āThis one HURTS.ā
āFarewell, CHINO XLā¦ ā. Big bro, Iām gonna miss you,ā A-F-R-O wrote on X as a friend and fellow rapper.
āLIFEāS WORKā
Fans mourned his death and called him āone of the greatest everā and a ātop tierā artist. He died just days after appearing on the new album by hip-hop legend Rakims.
āFirst he drops the verse of the century then drops the mic permanently.., R.I.P #Legend,ā a fan wrote.
Fans said Barbosaās verse on the albumās song Pendulum Swing with Chino XL and La the Darkman was one of his best as soon as it came out.
āThis is EASILY one of the top five @chinoxl verses of all timeā¦sheeeesssh,ā one fan wrote with fire emojis.
āYeah, you definitely left Earth when you recorded that verse,ā said a creepy post on Saturday.
Others were excited about the rapperās future after they worked together.
āJust why this year is so exciting for hip-hop. ChinoXL does it again. He always hits it. āRight on,ā wrote one fan.
Barbosa wrote on Instagram that he was āblessed to be a part of this projectā and that Rakimās new album was the sum of his ālifeās workā and a āchildhood dream come true.ā
He said, āItās an honor of high merit,ā then went on to talk about how well his fellow musicians thought the verse was written.
āHeard from @official_kurupt; top 7 Mc for me without a doubt!! who is on the first single? About my verse, he said that the first two bars were enough to make him go crazy and get stuck!!ā
āThat made all the work Iāve done in my life worth it.ā
āMy friend and the curator of this whole project, @almightym80, made this whole bucket list and childhood dream come true. Sincere thanks!ā Someone, I already chose where I want the plaque to go on my wall!!! You did it!
āCanāt wait for the world to hear the work!ā