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Chino XL, Rapper Known for Potent Lyricism, Dead at 50

Rap star Chino XL is dead at age 50, just days after he joined Rakim on 'Pendulum Swinging,' which dropped last week.

The rapper of Puerto Rican descent was born in the Bronx, New York, and released four studio albums throughout his prolific career, including Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary. “I have been on this planet for several decades, and I have moved in some pretty radical circles, but personally, I cannot recall meeting a melanated architect in my whole life,” Barbosa told Rolling Stone at the time. While Barbosa was often recognized for his music, he also featured in television roles such as Reno 911!, and CSI: Miami, and films including Brandon Sonnier’s The Beat and 2003’s Alex & Emma alongside Kate Hudson and Luke Wilson.

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