Rapper Chino XL’s Family Confirms He Died By Suicide, Honors His Legacy
The cause of death of rapper Chino XL, born Derek Keith Barbosa, who died by suicide at the age of 50, has been revealed. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Chino’s family came out with the painful truth, saying, “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.”
Chino was found unresponsive in his home on July 28, and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed his cause of death as asphyxia from ligature hanging. His family further explained that Chino had been battling several serious health issues, including congenital heart failure, diagnosed in 2020, and stage 4 prostate cancer earlier this year. Coupled with lifelong struggles with depression, these challenges weighed heavily on him.
“Our father was our rock and our best friend,” Chino’s daughters expressed in their statement. They fondly remembered him as “Papa Bear,” a loving father who taught them life’s most important lessons.
“He encouraged and comforted pretty much everyone in his path and left this dimension with an untouchable creative legacy. We are grateful beyond words for our time with Dad and are overwhelmed by the immeasurable global outpouring of love from around the world.”
While honoring their father’s legacy, the family also cleared up recent rumors about the release of his final album. Despite reports that Chino’s new album would be released in October, they confirmed that no official date has been set.
Adding to their grief, the family revealed that an individual illegally leaked the album online. “To add to this excruciating time, this man’s contemptuous actions, have hurt what was originally Dad’s intended December album release, where a considerable portion of the proceeds were to be donated to charitable organizations,” the family explained, adding that legal action is currently underway against the individual responsible.
Chino, known for his razor-sharp punchlines and lyrical prowess, had many titles in the world of hip-hop, but to his daughters, he was simply “Girl Dad.” In a heartfelt tribute, they wrote, “And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic.”
As they process their grief, Chino’s family is finding solace in knowing that their father is finally at peace. “The main thing we are feeling now is that our Dad is at peace, and so we are at peace,” his daughters shared.
Chino left behind a loving family, including his daughters Chynna, Bella, Lyric, and Kiyana; stepson Shawn; grandchildren Emmy, Emery, Chris, Luis, and Dyani; his mother, Carole; and his former longtime partner, Stephanie.
