U.S. rapper Chino XL d!es at 50

Rapper Chino XL has d!ed at the age of 50

U.S. rapper Chino XL d!es at 50

The East Coast-based musical artist, whose real name was Derek Emmanuel Barbosa, was born in the Bronx April 8, 1974 and subsequently relocated to New Jersey, according to AllHipHop.

Chino XL had been active in music from his teens, signing with the American Recordings label from producer Rick Rubin when he was 16, according to a bio from iHeart. In 1991, he and producer Kaoz composed a rap tandem called Art of Origin, after which he pursued a solo career, according to the outlet.

Chino XL rose to fame in the mid-1990s with his first album, 1996’s Here to Save You All, which included the single Kreep. He followed up with albums such as 2001’s I Told You So, 2006’s Poison Pen and 2012’s RICANstruction: The Black Rosary.

Chino XL’s cause of death was not announced as of Monday evening.