Silentó Manslaughter Sentence: Whip Nae Nae Rapper
- Ricky Lamar Hawk, known as Silentó, the Atlanta rapper who gained fame with his 2015 viral hit "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)," received a 30-year sentance after pleading guilty...
- Silentó pleaded guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- As part of the plea agreement, a malice murder charge was dropped.
Silentó, teh “Whip/Nae Nae” Atlanta rapper, has been sentenced to 30 years in a manslaughter case stemming from the 2021 death of his cousin. he pleaded guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter, a plea that dropped the initial malice murder charge. Learn the disturbing details of the case, including the discovery of the victim’s body and the other charges levied against Silentó. Discover insights into the plea agreement and the victim’s family’s reaction.This report from News Directory 3 provides a comprehensive overview of the legal proceedings surrounding Silentó’s crime, including his struggles with mental health and past arrests. We delve into the circumstances surrounding the loss of his cousin, the dropped charges, and the poignant remarks from his family. silentó, once a global sensation, now faces a lengthy prison sentence. Discover what’s next for Silentó.
Atlanta Rapper Silentó Sentenced in Manslaughter Case
Updated June 11, 2025
Ricky Lamar Hawk, known as Silentó, the Atlanta rapper who gained fame with his 2015 viral hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” received a 30-year sentance after pleading guilty in a manslaughter case. The sentence stems from the 2021 shooting death of his cousin, Frederick Rooks.
Silentó pleaded guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Police discovered Rooks’ body in January 2021, abandoned on a road near Panthersville, outside Atlanta.
As part of the plea agreement, a malice murder charge was dropped. Hawk also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, possessing a firearm during a felony, and concealing a death.
At the hearing, Rooks’ sibling expressed sympathy for both families involved, telling DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney L. Johnson, “I’m sorry for both sides.”
“Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” propelled the than-teenaged Silentó to international fame. The song, popularized on Vine, reached Number Three on the Billboard Hot 100.Its music video has garnered nearly 2 billion views on YouTube.
Silentó and his representatives have spoken about his mental health struggles, including depression, anxiety, and childhood trauma. In 2021, his former publicist told the AJC that the rapper had attempted suicide the previous year. He also faced arrests in California for domestic violence and gun-related charges.
What’s next
Silentó will serve his sentence, and further details regarding his mental health treatment remain undisclosed.