Fall River Rapper YaBoi LoCo Shares the Story Behind the Music

Most people on the SouthCoast know the name YaBoi LoCo, but not everyone knows the story behind the man holding the microphone.

The Fall River artist, promoter and content creator is actually Chris Aguiar, a first-generation Azorean American who has built a strong local following through music, hustle and nonstop self-promotion. His journey has not been perfect, but that is exactly what makes it worth telling.

Aguiar, who was born and raised in Fall River, said the city has always been home, even after spending time in New Bedford, Portsmouth and Newport. “Fall River, yeah. That’s my heart,” he said. “That’s my stomping ground.”

From Fall River to Finding His Voice

Long before YaBoi LoCo became a familiar name around the SouthCoast, Aguiar was a kid making beats, recording songs and burning homemade CDs. Music was always there, but it was not until 2022 that he decided to take it seriously. That shift came after a summer that gave him the validation he needed.

Fall River Rapper YaBoi LoCo Shares the Story Behind the Music

Aguiar had been posting rap videos online when he was invited to perform in front of Jadakiss. After that, he performed at a Portuguese feast in West Warwick, Rhode Island, where a crowd of teenagers reacted like they already knew every word. “I got on stage and all the kids just started going nuts,” he said. “I was looking at all their faces and thought, ‘This is my hustle. This is my culture, my people.’”

A Past That Built Him

Aguiar is honest about the harder chapters of his story. Growing up around Fall River’s Fifth Street, he said he made wrong decisions, got caught up in street life and eventually battled addiction. At the same time, he was always working, opening businesses and trying to create something better.

“I don’t regret it, and I don’t blame anybody but myself for what happened,” Aguiar said. “If that stuff didn’t happen, it wouldn’t make me who I am. I wouldn’t have learned those lessons.”

Fall River Rapper YaBoi LoCo Shares the Story Behind the Music

Today, he points to fatherhood as one of his proudest accomplishments. His son, Kyran Aguiar, recently graduated from Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School as a Super Bowl champion and is heading to Bridgewater State University to play football. “It made me very strong internally,” Aguiar said.

Building the LoCo Movement

Since 2022, YaBoi LoCo has opened for major artists, built a fanbase known as the “LoCo Maniacs” and collaborated with names like Mickey Factz, Bizarre of D12 and Gorilla Zoe. He also has music in the works with Afroman and Bubba Sparxxx, including an upcoming song with Bubba called “Southern Belle.”

Fall River Rapper YaBoi LoCo Shares the Story Behind the Music

His most-streamed song is “Slap Your Mom,” featuring Bizarre, though he laughed and clarified, “Love your mom. I love my mama.” Still, songs like “Are you ready let’s go” are the ones that show what LoCo does best: crowd interaction, energy and giving people something to remember.

Lit Summer Brings Bubba Sparxxx to Fall River

That same energy is behind Lit Summer 2026, happening Saturday, July 11, at The Cultural Center, 205 South Main Street in Fall River. From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the event is free to the community with live digital art, free haircuts, kids dance activities, local vendors, music and family fun. For Aguiar, the giveback matters. New Bedford’s Bossky’s Barber Studio will provide free haircuts for kids, something Aguiar said is about dignity, confidence and helping families during the summer months.

READ MORE: Fall River Artist Wins Big at Portuguese Music Awards

From 6 p.m. to midnight, Lit Summer becomes a ticketed concert headlined by Bubba Sparxxx, with direct support from YaBoi LoCo, live DJs and supporting acts. General admission tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, with free weekend parking at the Pearl Street Parking Garage. “I want this to become a tradition,” Aguiar said. “Community over everything. Unity over everything.”

For an artist who started with homemade CDs and turned his life into a second chance, Lit Summer is more than a just concert, and YaBoi LoCo is bringing Fall River along for the ride.