Silentó, the rapper behind the viral hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” has officially been sentenced to 30 years behind bars after pleading guilty to the 2021 murder of his cousin.
According to local reports, the 27-year-old rapper, real name Ricky Lamar Hawk, entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill this past June on multiple charges, including voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and concealing the death of 34-year-old Frederick Rooks III.
Hawk received 20 years for the voluntary manslaughter charge, while the firearm possession and concealing death counts each added an additional five years to his sentence. He has remained incarcerated since his arrest in February 2021.
The incident unfolded on January 21, 2021, when DeKalb County Police responded to a call in Panthersville, Georgia. When they arrived, they discovered Rooks suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, with 10 shell casings recovered at the scene.
An investigation revealed that Hawk was the last person seen with Rooks, according to a family member. Surveillance footage also placed the rapper in a white BMW SUV matching one spotted near the crime scene. He was arrested on February 1, 2021.