Ricky Hawk, also known as rapper Silento, has found himself on the hot seat. The rapper behind the 2015 smash hit Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) was recently sentenced to 30 years in prison.
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Silento Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison
He was convicted of shooting his own cousin. Hawk did not take the case to trial. Instead, he pleaded guilty under the guise of the mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and a slew of other charges in connection with the deadly shooting in 2021.
Silento’s cousin Frederick Rooks III was found dead in a Metro Atlanta home in 2021. Weeks later the former rap star was arrested and charged with Rooks’ death. During the time of his arrest, Silento was carrying a firearm which prosecutors matched to the bullets found at the murder scene.
One-hit wonders are rarely remembered. However, Silento’s Watch Me had that much power and influence to make his name unforgettable. His song became a staple amongst the younger generation, particularly on social media.
The song reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned more than 400 million Spotify streams.
Following his arrest, Chanel Hudson, Silento’s PR manager, revealed that he had been “suffering immensely” due to “a series of mental health issues.”
“Please send my client Silentó some positive vibrations. Over the past several years, Ricky has been suffering immensely from a series of mental health illnesses. We will continue in his efforts of treatment, but we ask in the meantime the public uplift him and his family in immediate prayer and positive energy!!” she said in a statement in 2021.
“Ricky is a beautiful soul, and we hope that the same people who came up whipping’ & nay nay-in with him, continue to support him and lift in prayer!! God bless”
Despite pleading guilty, Silento still has not revealed the motive behind his actions.
