Silentó Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For Killing Cousin

Silentó became a trending topic for the first time in a long time this week, though not for anything positive. The 27-year-old rapper, initially known for his viral 2015 hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” was sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing his cousin in 2021.

The Atlanta rapper, real name Ricky Lamar Hawk, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, according to TMZ via the DeKalb County District Attorney. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of concealing the death of another, that being Frederick Rooks III, his cousin. The “Finna Bop” rapper was initially facing a murder charge, but it was dropped as part of his plea agreement.

DeKalb County police found Rooks III suffering from gunshot wounds in his leg and face on an early morning in January 2021, plus 10 bullet casings near his body. Security footage from a home nearby showed a white vehicle driving away right after the gunshots were fired.

Local authorities connected Silentó to the crime after a family member told them that he picked up his cousin in the white vehicle that was seen in the footage. He confessed to shooting Rooks III 10 days after being arrested, and a forensics report matched the bullet casings near Rooks’ body to a gun the RIAA Platinum-certified rapper had when he was taken into custody. The victim’s family admitted that they wish the “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” rapper was given a longer sentence, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Silentó shared a statement after news broke of his sentencing, expressing deep regret for the pain and disappointment he caused. “I will continue to make music and work on becoming the best possible version of myself. I can’t reverse time, but I can serve the time I’ve been given lawfully, and strive to positively contribute to whatever my new environment may be,” he wrote.

“I entered this industry as a teenager, often without proper guidance or direction. While that is not an excuse, it is part of my truth. I pray for growth, evolution, and the ability to find forgiveness-for myself and for this entire situation. God bless y’all.” Read the full press release below.