Atlanta rapper Silento, once a household name for his viral hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” has now made headlines for a far more tragic reason. On June 2025, Silento, whose real name is Ricky Hawk, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty but mentally ill in the shooting death of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III. The case marks a sobering end to the career of a young man once celebrated across America for his catchy dance anthem.
The Crime: What Happened on January 21, 2021?
In the early hours of January 21, 2021, police responded to reports of gunfire at a home in DeKalb County, Georgia. When officers arrived, they discovered 34-year-old Frederick Rooks suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Security footage revealed a white BMW SUV fleeing shortly after the gunshots were heard.
Family members informed authorities that Rooks was last seen with Silento, who had picked him up earlier in a vehicle matching the one seen on camera. These details, along with ballistics evidence and a confession, pointed to Ricky Hawk as the shooter.
The Evidence Against Silento
The investigation uncovered shell casings at the crime scene that matched a gun found in Silento’s possession at the time of his arrest. The 27-year-old rapper admitted to the shooting, solidifying the prosecution’s case. The weapon, the vehicle, and the admission created an airtight narrative of guilt. Prosecutors charged him with voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and several related crimes.
The Mental Health Defense: Guilty but Mentally Ill
In court, Silento pleaded guilty but mentally ill, a legal distinction acknowledging his mental health struggles while still holding him accountable for his actions. According to his publicist, Chanel Hudson, the rapper had been battling serious mental health issues for years. In a statement, she urged the public to offer prayers and positive energy, calling Silento “a beautiful soul” who had “suffered immensely.”
A History of Legal Troubles
Silento’s downfall didn’t start with this incident. In 2020, he was arrested in Georgia for driving at 143 mph on I-85. That same year, he was charged with assault in Los Angeles, where he allegedly attempted to strike two people with a hatchet inside their home. These repeated legal problems painted a picture of a young man clearly in crisis long before the fatal shooting.
The Rise to Fame: “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)”
It’s almost hard to believe the same individual once rose to global stardom with a fun, upbeat dance track. Silento’s 2015 hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” exploded across social media, topping out at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Teenagers, celebrities, and even teachers joined in viral dance challenges, making the song a pop culture staple.
His early success led to several features and eventually a 2019 album titled “Fresh Outta High School.” But behind the scenes, his mental health battles were already beginning to affect his career.
The Sentencing and What Comes Next
Following his plea, a DeKalb County Superior Court Judge sentenced Silento to 30 years in prison. Since his arrest, he had been held in the DeKalb County Jail awaiting trial and mental health evaluations. The sentence marks a tragic close to a case that blended fame, mental illness, and violence in a deeply unsettling way.
The Bigger Picture: Mental Health in the Music Industry
Silento’s story is not unique in the world of music and celebrity. Fame at a young age, combined with inadequate mental health support, has led many artists down dangerous paths. Silento’s case should be a wake-up call for both fans and industry insiders about the importance of mental health intervention, especially when warning signs appear early.
Final Thoughts
The name Silento will forever be linked to one of the most iconic dance songs of the 2010s—but now also to a harrowing crime. His journey from viral sensation to convicted killer is a chilling reminder of how quickly life can unravel when mental health issues go unchecked. While justice has been served, many are left wondering how such a promising life could take such a dark turn.