Derek Keith Barbosa (born April 8, 1971), known as Chino XL , is an American Hip Hop lyricist, battle rapper, and actor. He was born to a Puerto Rican father and an African mother. The nephew of Bernie Worrell of Parliament/Funkadelic, Chino is known for his technically accomplished style, consisting of self-consciously over-the-top punchlines, exaggerated egotism, and use of multiple similes, puns, metaphors, and wordplay. He is a member of the intellectual collective MENSA and has collaborated on various projects with some of the most well known artists in Hip Hop. [1] Aside from music, Chino has also forged a career in acting, appearing in several films and making guest appearances on the Comedy Central series Reno 911! and the CBS series CSI: Miami [2]. He has starred in films alongside Kate Hudson, Luke Wilson, and Rob Reiner and had a solo project debut at Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival. [3]

CHINO XL TICKETS BTS Tickets Rush Tickets Journey Tickets Shakira Tickets Bryson Tiller Tickets Earth, Wind and Fire Tickets

Career

After co-founding the duo Art of Origin, the half-African American, half-Puerto Rican emcee was signed at age 16 by music impresario Rick Rubin to Rubin's American Records imprint, which was once part of the Warner Bros. Records family ^[2]. He released his debut album Here to Save You All in 1996. The debut was released to critical acclaim and major airplay by radio and MTV.

Following Prince's departure from Warner, Chino was released by the label as well, and he released his sophomore album I Told You So in 2001, and his third album Poison Pen in 2006. ^[2]

In 2007, Chino signed a contract with urban Latin record label and Universal imprint Machete Music ^[6]. His first album on the label, "RICANstruction", will be released in 2009, which Chino says will be his best work to date. ^[2].

Discography

Albums

Album information

Here to Save You All Released: April 9, 1996 Billboard 200 chart position: - R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #56 Singles: "No Complex"/"Waiting to Exhale", "Thousands"/"Freestyle Rhymes", "Kreep", "Rise", "Deliver"

I Told You So Released: November 13, 2001 Billboard 200 chart position: - R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #98 Singles: "Last Laugh", "Let 'Em Live", "What You Got"

Poison Pen Released: March 21, 2006 Billboard 200 chart position: - R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: - Singles:

Something Sacred Released: January 15, 2008 Billboard 200 chart position: - R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: Singles: "Chow Down"

The RICANstruction Release Date: 2009 Single: "90 Bars of Intervention"

References

1. rapindustry.com, Chino XL Interview, with Sway and King Tech, accessed, September 14, 2008
2. Chino XL Interview - "Return of the Poison Pen"
3. imdb.com, Chino XL - Biography, accessed, September 14, 2008.
4. Chino XL Interview - "Return of the Poison Pen"
5. Chino XL Interview - "Return of the Poison Pen"
6. Chino XL Signs New Record Deal
7. Chino XL Interview - "Return of the Poison Pen"