Silentó: ‘Watch Me’ Rapper Gets 30 Years in Prison
Richard Lamar Hawk,the “Watch Me” rapper known as Silentó,has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 2021 death of his cousin,Frederick Rooks.The artist, whose dance craze swept the nation, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, bringing a somber close to a case that began with a viral sensation.Following a plea deal, charges of malice murder were dismissed, but Hawk also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, firearm possession during a felony, and concealing a death. News Directory 3 follows this story and many others. What does this mean for Silentó’s future, and what’s next for those affected? Discover what’s next …
‘Watch Me’ rapper Silento sentenced in manslaughter case
Updated June 12,2025
Richard Lamar Hawk,the rapper known as Silento,faces 30 years in prison after being sentenced for the death of his cousin. The Watch Me artist, whose hit “watch Me (whip/Nae Nae)” took the world by storm, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter in the shooting of Frederick Rooks.
Originally charged wiht malice murder, Hawk’s plea deal led to the dismissal of that charge. In addition to manslaughter, he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony, and concealing a death.
DeKalb County police discovered Rooks’ body on Jan. 21, 2021, near Atlanta. Hawk’s arrest followed in February.
Silento’s “Watch Me (Whip/Nae nae)” became a viral sensation in 2015,largely thanks to the video-sharing app Vine. The song, which popularized the “whip” and “nae nae” dances, reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has garnered over 1.9 billion views on YouTube. While he released four mixtapes, he struggled to replicate that initial success.
The rapper has reportedly struggled with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, and allegedly attempted suicide in 2020. he also faced prior arrests on domestic violence charges.
What’s next
Silento will now begin serving his 30-year sentence, bringing a close to the legal proceedings surrounding the tragic death of Frederick Rooks. His future in the music industry remains uncertain.