Rapper Chino XL’s Family Reveals He Died From Suicide

Chino XL‘s family has finally opened up about the rapper’s sudden death.

In a statement from the family, they revealed that the veteran rapper, real name Derek Keith Barbos, died of suicide.

Prior to the incident, Chino XL battled depression and the effects of congenital heart failure, which he was diagnosed with in 2020. He was 50 years old at the time of his death.

Chino XL’s family has revealed the real reason behind the rapper’s death after months of silence.

The 50-year-old passed away in July, and while his family announced his death on social media, they did not disclose the cause at the time.

In a surprising turn of events, they have now chosen to reveal this information in honor of Suicide Awareness Month, disclosing that the “No Complex” crooner died by suicide in his home.

A statement from the family noted that Chino XL’s death has been the “most painful and personal experience” of their lives.

They also expressed that their father would be proud of them for sharing the cause of his death, hoping it might “help someone else stay alive.”

Chino XL’s daughters also took the opportunity to praise their late father, whom they described as their “rock” and “best friend.”

They said, “Papa Bear loved us and taught us so much. Hundreds of emails, texts, chats and beautiful posts and comments on social media, have shown us that Dad was a fountain of strength to so many.”

According to his daughters, the rapper “encouraged and comforted pretty much everyone in his path” and, through his actions, left behind an “untouchable creative legacy.”

They added, “We are grateful beyond words for our time with Dad and are overwhelmed by the immeasurable global outpouring of love from around the world. We will forever navigate this catastrophic loss and ask for continued privacy.”

While the family did not note the manner in which Chino XL took his life, the medical examiner’s office revealed that info.

According to TMZ, they listed the rapper’s official cause of death as asphyxia due to ligature hanging.

Prior to Chino XL’s death, he had spent years battling with depression. He was also diagnosed with congenital heart failure in 2020, a defect that affects the heart’s ability to function properly.

He is survived by multiple family members, including his daughters, stepson, grandchildren, and his mother.

A posthumous album from the late rapper is expected to be released on October 24, 2024. Titled “Darkness & Other Colors,” it will have 14 songs, with three being listed as bonus tracks.

Some of the track names include “Words in the Color of Death,” “Sermon in Crimson,” “Sepia Selfies From The Last Supper,” and “The Red You Deserve.”

Apart from the upcoming album, Chino XL also has an extensive discography. Some of his well-known songs are “No Complex” and “The Anthem” with Sway and King Tech.

He also dabbled in acting while alive, appearing in “The Young and the Restless” and “CSI: Miami.”

Chino XL’s rap career began in the early 1990s, and he gained prominence in 1996 with the release of his debut album, “Here to Save You All. “

This album, which catapulted him into the spotlight, also sparked a notable feud with the late rapper Tupac Shakur. On the seventh track, “Riiiot!,” Chino XL raps the controversial line, “By this industry, I’m trying to not get f-cked like Tupac in jail.”

Tupac responded to Chino XL in his legendary 1996 diss track “Hit’ Em Up,” targeting the rapper along with other hip-hop figures he was feuding with at the time.

It remains unclear if they reconciled before Tupac’s untimely death. However, according to The Mirror, a hip-hop fan on Reddit mentioned that Chino XL paid a small tribute to Tupac during a concert they attended “a couple of years ago.”