In a shocking turn of events, Silento, the rapper who skyrocketed to fame with his 2015 hit single “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)”, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of his cousin, Frederick Rooks.

Born Ricky Hawk, Silento was arrested in 2021 for the tragic incident that occurred in January of the same year. The victim, Frederick Rooks, was found lying on a road in Panthersville, southeast of Atlanta, around 3:30 a.m. Police later discovered surveillance footage showing Silento fleeing the scene in a white BMW, leading to his arrest.

Initially, Silento was denied parole and eventually pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm. This guilty plea has now resulted in a 30-year prison sentence, marking a grim end to his once-meteoric rise in the music industry.

A History of Trouble

Silento’s run-ins with the law began long before this tragic event. In 2020, he was arrested twice for domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon in Orange County and Los Angeles. Later that year, he was taken into custody again after being spotted in Los Angeles holding a hatchet and allegedly searching for his girlfriend.

Mental Health Struggles

Silento’s family has openly discussed his mental health issues, which were well-documented even before his string of arrests. After his arrest for his cousin’s murder, his representatives revealed to TMZ that the rapper had been battling a “series of mental health illnesses.” He had even booked an appearance on the medical talk show The Doctors to discuss severe depression, but he never followed through.

While Silento’s hit song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” brought him immense fame, with the music video garnering nearly 2 billion views on YouTube, his personal struggles have now led to a tragic downfall. We can only hope that this sentence brings some closure to the victim’s family and that Silento receives the help he needs.

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