American Rapper Silento Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Murder o

Atlanta-born rapper Silento, best known for his 2015 viral hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of his cousin, marking a tragic turn in the once-promising artist’s career.

The 27-year-old, whose real name is Richard “Ricky” Hawk, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, which led to his lengthy sentence handed down by a Georgia court.

The case dates back to January 21, 2021, when officers from the DeKalb County Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in the Panthersville area of Georgia. Upon arrival, they discovered Frederick Rooks III, 34, lying on the street with multiple gunshot wounds. Rooks was pronounced dead at the scene.


Investigators later identified Silento as the prime suspect after reviewing home security footage that captured a white BMW SUV speeding away from the scene shortly after the shots were fired. The same vehicle was confirmed to have been in Silento’s possession at the time, and witnesses confirmed he had last been seen with Rooks prior to the incident.

Silento was arrested days later and held without bond, sparking public speculation about the cause of the violent act. His publicist, Chanel Hudson, released a statement soon after the arrest, attributing the rapper’s actions to long-standing mental health challenges.

“Silento has been battling mental health issues for several years,” Hudson stated. “We ask for empathy and support from the public as we navigate this difficult time.”



Prior to the 2021 murder, Silento had a troubling pattern of erratic behavior and run-ins with the law. In August 2020, he was arrested and charged with two counts of assault after allegedly breaking into a stranger’s home in Los Angeles and attacking two people with a hatchet.

He had also been detained on several occasions for reckless driving and domestic incidents.

In a 2019 interview on the medical talk show The Doctors, the rapper gave a chilling insight into his mental health struggles.

“I’ve been fighting demons my whole life,” he said. “I don’t know if these demons will ever go away.”



Mental health advocates have since raised concerns about the systemic neglect of psychological support for entertainers and young creatives, especially in the U.S. hip-hop industry, which often glamorizes struggle without offering sustainable support systems.


Silento rose to fame at the age of 17 with the breakout single “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” which became a global dance phenomenon, racking up over 1.9 billion views on YouTube. He quickly became a household name and a pop culture sensation.

However, his rapid rise was not matched with a strong support structure, and by his early 20s, Silento had faded from the spotlight, overshadowed by personal crises and legal troubles.


Silento’s 30-year sentence serves as a stark reminder of the dark turn fame can take when compounded by untreated mental health issues and lack of mentorship. His story, once one of youthful success and viral joy, has now become a cautionary tale of potential lost to violence.

As the music world reacts to the sentence, many fans remain conflicted — remembering the joy of his music while grappling with the gravity of his crime.