Chino XL, famed for his contributions to hip-hop music, reportedly died on Monday aged 50.
According to AllHipHop, no cause of death has been given for the late rapper, whose real name was Derek Emmanuel Barbosa.
Barbosa was heavily associated with the legendary star Tupac Shakur with the pair squaring up over diss tracks in the 90s.
He grew up in the Bronx and was discovered by Rick Rubin and American Recordings when he was just 16.
In 1991, Barbosa burst onto the scene with rap tandem Art of Origin before making his way as a solo star.
Over the 90s, he continued to rise in the charts with his 1996 debut album Here to Save You All, featuring hit single Kreep.
This is where his beef with Tupac began as the track Riiiot! took aim at the rapper, who died in September that year.
On the track, he rapped: ‘By this industry, I’m trying to not get f***** like 2Pac in jail.’
Tupac got his own back on the track Hit ‘Em Up, on which he took aim at several rappers, including Biggie and Diddy, and those associated with Bad Boy Records, which was founded by the latter.
Just three months after this song was released, Tupac was killed in a drive-by shooting on September 7, 1996.
Away from his rap career, Barbosa appeared on the small screen in CSI: Miami and Reno 911!
He also branched into films as he starred alongside Kate Hudson and Luke Wilson in director Rob Reiner’s Alex and Emma in 2003.
Tributes from fellow rappers have called the loss a ‘tough one’ to cope with and stating they’re ‘heartbroken’ over Chino’s death.
Rapper A-F-R-O posted to X: ‘RIP to CHINO XL .. I’m gonna miss you, big bro.’
Public Enemy‘s Chuck D got incredibly emotional as he shared: ‘This ones a tough one. I admired Dj Polo as a @hiphopgods PEer. @CHINOXL was my brother in rhyme and 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 and art. (sic)’