Naturally being born and raised in LA George Lopez speaks Spanish greatly influenced by the Los Angeles Hispanic gang culture. What we in law enforcement call gang slang.
In this culture vato is better translated as brother, not specifically indicating a blood relationship but rather a gang family relationship. Teens who give up society for the gang life are called "vatos locos", meaning crazy gang banger, a term that became synonymous with members of LA's 38th Street Gang. The term gained popularity and sofened in meaning in general society but is still used regularly in gang slang.
Joel
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