R&B/Hip-Hop

Rapper Chino XL has died at age 50, his family announced in a statement posted to his Instagram account on Tuesday (July 30). Born Derek Keith Barbosa, Chino XL passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday (July 28); no cause of death was revealed.

“Chino is survived by his children, Chynna, Bella, Lyric, Kiyana; his stepson Shawn; grandchildren Emmy, Emery, Chris, Luis, and Dyani; his mother, Carole; and his former longtime partner Stephanie,” the statement shared.
 
“Our father had many titles — King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero — but the most important one was Girl Dad. And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic,” Chino XL’s daughters added in a joint message. “The main thing we are feeling now is that our Dad is at peace, and so we are at peace.”

Born in the Bronx and raised in East Orange, N.J., Chino formed the Art of Origin duo with Kerri Chandler, and they signed to Def Jam Recordings via Warner in 1991. Chino XL went on to reach acclaim in his solo career.

His Here to Save You All debut — featuring collabs with Kool Keith an Ras Kass — arrived in 1996 and reached No. 56 on the Top R&B Albums chart. Chino followed up with I Told You So in 2001 and Poison Pen in 2006, as well as 2012’s Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary.

Chino XL has notched collaborations over the years with Kool G Rap, Proof, J. Dilla and B-Real among others. He also earned some stripes in Hollywood as an actor in movies such as Alex & Emma, while appearing in television shows such as CSI: Miami, The Young and the Restless and Reno 911!

More recently on the music side, Chino connected with Stu Bangaz for their God’s Carpenter joint project in 2023. He also made an appearance on “Pedulum Swing,” which landed on Rakim’s G.O.Ds Network – Reb7rth album last Friday (July 26).

There has been an outpouring of support from the hip-hop community since the news of his death.

“My uncle knew i hate giving the internet even a fraction of my pain if it isnt on vinyl. There are no amount of tears that could ever bring me peace. No amount of words that could ever bring me solace,” his niece Lady London wrote in part in a lengthy Instagram tribute. “Uncie, Thank you for nerding out with me. For gifting me with the love of words and knowledge. Literature and rhythmical composition. For your heart… larger than your body (quite literally) . Your Legacy lives on, forever. I promise im gonna take it all the way there.”

Ice-T also remembered his friend on social media. “This one REALLY hurts… Yesterday morning I got the awful news and did not want to believe it was true,” the musician and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star wrote on Instagram alongside a black-and-white photo of the late artist. “I’ve lost so many homies but THIS one got me Fd up. People know he was an incredible MC. But Chino was a truly GREAT MAN. This is a tragedy. My love and condolences go out to his family. Homie you are loved by so many. Rest in Peace Homie.”

Find more reactions to the news of Chino XL’s death below.

Imagine the thrill of receiving a text from Janet Jackson. On top of that, Beyoncé gives you flowers after your rousing tribute to Usher at the BET Awards. That’s the current reality for three-time Grammy-winner Victoria Monét, who’s still basking in the success of her debut album Jaguar II after it reshaped her decade-long career.

“It’s insane,” says Monét hours before her Sunday (July 28) set at Broccoli Fest. “I just wonder if I could time travel. I would want to hear from the little kid version of myself, and how excited that little girl would be — because I still feel like that person. I would want to hear from her, like, ‘How do you feel right now? Because — can you believe that this is your grown-up life?’ It’s really, really special to me to hear from people you look up to.”

Always touted as a gifted songwriter, Monét is enjoying her second act as an in-demand performer as well. After a hellacious performance at Coachella, which saw fans chirping about how she deserved a headlining slot, Monét fueled conversations again at this year’s BET Awards when her and Teyana Taylor’s titillating tribute to Usher’s “Bad Girl” had social media in a tizzy.

The homages didn’t stop there, as Monét recently released the video for her Kaytranada-produced song “Alright” from Jaguar II. Teaming up with director Dave Meyers and choreographer Sean Bankhead, Monét channeled the spirits of Michael and Janet Jackson to reimagine their classic videos “Smooth Criminal” and (of course) “Alright,” respectively, for her dance-centric video.

Billboard spoke to Monét about paying tribute to her heroes, wanting to start her dream album with Kaytranada, and playing bartender for Megan Thee Stallion during their studio session.

What made you decide to pay homage to Michael and Janet Jackson for your “Alright” video?

When we first worked on the “Alright” music video, that wasn’t the plan. I told Sean Bankhead that I knew the type of dance that I wanted to do was more of a house-style — using footwork. When we got into the studio, the movements just started coming. We were like, “We should definitely wear suits.” When the suits came, there was one that was a little bit short and you could see my socks. I had my socks from rehearsal and we were like, “Oh. I think we should just go there,” — ’cause we’re talking about my favorite artists of all-time. So let’s just lean in, no pun intended, and show the respect that they deserve. It was definitely a Jackson-inspired video.

Did Janet hit you after the video came out?

She did, but not about the video, though. We exchanged numbers — and honestly, I gave her my number. I went to see her Essence set. So after Essence, I was able to see her again and I gave her my number. I just been waiting on her to text me and just a couple of days ago. I realized she texted me. [Laughs.] I was completely shocked, and I was like, “How did I miss this text?”

I’m going to add a little pressure on you with this question, since you spoke on wanting it to happen before — have you and Kaytranada been able to talk about finally doing this album together?

You know what? I still think that’s the goal. We do have enough music to have a project, to be honest, but if we’re going to work on one, I definitely want to go in with that intention — because the music we have is just accumulated from [old] sessions. If we make a project, I want it to feel cohesive, and it’s a certain energy that we put into it. I wanna work on so many more songs with him and narrow them down to the best ones. I would love that. He’s incredible. He got that energy.

Jaguar was originally supposed to be a three-part project. Because of the success of Jaguar II, would you entertain the idea of a trilogy again?

I just felt like after the space between the two projects — ’cause I didn’t expect them to be two years apart — I felt that the Jaguar story had kind of subsided, especially with Jaguar II winning Grammys, I’m like, “How do I come back with a third one?” It kind of felt like the ribbon on the present. There will be a Jaguar II deluxe, so you could look at that like kind of the third little part — but technically, there will be no Jaguar III. I think it’s time to get out of the jungle and see the city, maybe. [Laughs.]

Do you have an idea when the deluxe will come?

Soon. Pretty soon.

You’ve had some dope features this year with Bryson Tiller (“Persuasion”) and Megan Thee Stallion (“Spin”). What has been like for you to get back into that zone?

You know, it feels like old Vic. Because a lot of my early, early features — starting in like 2013 — my very first feature was with Nas, then T.I., Meek Mill and B.o.B. I was the hook girl. A lot of rappers would call me for hooks. I feel like I’m back in that bag. And it’s nice to have collaborations — especially with Meg, because I’ve wanted that for a really long time.

I heard you played the role of bartender in the studio when y’all made “Spin.”

I was really just trying to make it a really fun experience. I think maybe trying to create the party environment that we would hear our record in. Even though it was just me, her and the engineer, I just wanted her to feel that uptempo energy that you feel. So I came into the studio with the ingredients for an espresso martini, but with tequila. So that’s how we do our espresso martini — and it worked! I feel like we got the great vibes going and I loved it. I wanna see it [played at] Magic City, to be honest. That’s my goal. [Laughs.] 

Usher shows have long contained cinematic elements and a flair for the dramatic, but now his 2023 eight-concert experience in Paris has been turned into a movie.

Officially announced on Tuesday (July 30), USHER: RENDEZVOUS IN PARIS is set to arrive in about 2,000 theaters across the globe for a limited release from Sept. 12 through Sept. 15.

“Paris was a special experience for me as an entertainer and for my fans,” Usher said in a press statement. “I hope those who weren’t able to make it in person get to experience how special it was. As for those of you who were, I hope you experience the show and see what it takes to get there through a different lens.”

Tickets for the concert film Trafalgar Releasing and Sony Music Vision, giving fans an exclusive look behind the curtain of putting a high-quality show together are slated to go on sale starting on Aug. 6 on Usher’s website.

“For 30 years Usher has captivated and entertained audiences through his music and concerts. Just
a few months ago, he drew rave reviews for his stunning performance in front of 129 million people
during the Super Bowl Half Time Show. Bringing his unparalleled concert experience to movie
theatres for his fans around the world is a perfect fit for AMC Theatres Distribution,” said AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron.

AMC Theatres Distribution and Trafalgar Releasing partnered with Sony Music Vision to bring Usher’s Paris run to the big screen.

Of the 2,000 theaters playing RENDEZVOUS IN PARIS, half will be in the United States while the other 1,000 locations will be spread out worldwide. AMC Theatres and ODEON are on board as theater broadcasting partners for the film.

Between headlining the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show and accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 BET Awards, it’s already been a banner year for Usher. But he’s not even close to done yet, as the “Love in This Club” singer will hit the road for the Usher: Past Present Future tour starting on Aug. 20.

Usher’s Coming Home album also arrived in February and the project debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

Watch a clip from USHER: RENDEZVOUS IN PARIS below.