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.”
Tributes also came from the likes of Bun B, The Alchemist, Evidence, Skyzoo, R.A. the Rugged Man, Termanology and Dante Ross.
I don’t have a single cell of compassion in my body for someone who commits suicide. Unless that person was very sick and on the edge of death. Otherwise, if you have your two legs, two arms, two eyes, a family who loves you, some fans who follow you and no serious health endangering your life, you have no excuse to take your own life away. Some people are really living fucked up lives and they don’t have shit, and still they’re trying to make the ends meet without complaining. FOH!
How did you somehow manage to make Chino’s death about you? You sound like you’re projecting, sir. If you’re having a tough time, as a lot of us are, please talk to someone. But don’t come on here and desecrate this comment section. Nobody asked for your opinion, dog. Don’t disrespect Chino and his fans like that. You could’ve just saved it and let everybody give their condolences. I’m not how some of you lil dudes were raised. But WE were raised better than that. Rest in peace, Chino. Thank you for the bars and game you gave us for four decades.
The internet has allowed a bunch of sheltered kids to spew bullshit to the world. You haven’t lived enough to understand how stupid you sound.
Fuck you and the two people(probably you) who liked your ignorant comment. It’d a damn shame to hear about that.
You are truly privileged to not comprehend depression, though your intellect, maturity, and empathy leave a lot to be desired
You have no idea what you’re talking about about do you you utter moron.
Hey Robert. – thanks for your opinion – however you didn’t know Chi, his battles or situation, so respectfully sit down. Thank you.
Chino was an incredible man if you personally knew him, god bless him.
How about you go FYS.
@ Robert Diggs… So what if you only have one eye? Or one leg? What if you only have one follower instead of some? Would you have compassion for someone killing themselves then? Look, bruh. You don’t have to agree with Chino’s last act to have compassion for him. That you have none says a lot about you. And it’s all bad.
Robert Diggs give it a rest.
This news breaks my heart. RIP Chino
RIP LEGEND💯
The Ghost of pac came back to take this man.
Their beef wasnt that serious 😆 2pac fans are corny af 🤣
Wtf does corn have to do with this?
The ghost of your mom is taking this D,
That’s crazy.. you never know the pain and demons that someone is going through all alone.. RIP 🙏
Unless you have a terminal illness, committing suicide is neither a sign of strength or realism. Especially when you have children, a loving family, friends and the respect of your peers. It’s a tragedy nonetheless. And Chino XL will surely be missed all the same.
If it wasn’t for PAC, I we would not know who this dude was.
You’re a loser 🤣
Damn. RIP.
Why did he hang himself? i don’t get it
Not saying its a good reason to commit suicide, but based on what I read he was terminally ill.