Silentó, the one-hit wonder behind “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” will spend the next three decades behind bars after confessing to shooting his cousin to death in a case that highlights the tragic intersection of fame, mental illness, and violence.
Key Takeaways
- Rapper Silentó (Ricky Lamar Hawk) has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty but mentally ill to the voluntary manslaughter of his cousin Frederick Rooks in 2021.
- The former viral sensation accepted a plea deal that reduced his original malice murder charge, while also pleading guilty to aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during a felony, and concealing death.
- Security footage and GPS data from Silentó’s BMW connected him to the crime scene, and he confessed to the murder 10 days after the incident.
- The case highlights Silentó’s documented struggles with mental illness, including a suicide attempt in 2020 and multiple prior arrests for domestic violence and weapons charges.
- The sentencing marks a tragic fall from grace for the artist whose debut single reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2015.
From Viral Fame to Violent Crime
In 2015, Silentó skyrocketed to fame with his viral dance hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a cultural phenomenon, especially on social media platforms like Vine. The Atlanta rapper, whose real name is Ricky Lamar Hawk, was just 17 years old when he achieved this success. Now 26, he faces a drastically different reality after admitting to killing his cousin, Frederick Rooks, in January 2021. The DeKalb County Superior Court sentenced him to 30 years in prison, with credit for time served since his February 2021 arrest.
According to court records, Silentó accepted a plea deal that reduced his original charge from malice murder to voluntary manslaughter. He also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and concealing the death of another person. A separate felony murder charge was dropped as part of the agreement. The incident occurred when DeKalb County Police discovered Rooks with multiple gunshot wounds in a residential neighborhood, and the investigation quickly led to Silentó’s arrest.
Mental Health Crisis Behind the Crime
Throughout the legal proceedings, Silentó’s mental health struggles became a central focus of the case. The rapper entered a plea of “guilty but mentally ill,” reflecting what his representatives have described as years of psychological challenges. Court documents revealed that Silentó had been diagnosed with various mental health conditions and had previously attempted suicide in 2020. These issues apparently intensified following his brief taste of fame and the pressure to replicate his initial success, a common challenge for artists who experience sudden viral popularity.
“Depression doesn’t leave you when you become famous, it just adds more pressure,” said Silentó.
The evidence against Silentó was substantial. Security footage and GPS data linked his BMW to the crime scene, and he ultimately confessed to the murder 10 days after it occurred. In the year prior to the killing, the rapper had accumulated a troubling record of legal issues, including arrests for domestic violence and driving at 143 mph on a Georgia highway. These incidents now appear as warning signs of his deteriorating mental state and inability to cope with the pressures of fame and personal challenges.
The Aftermath and Family Response
The sentencing has elicited mixed reactions from Rooks’ family members. While some demanded the maximum punishment for the crime, others expressed sympathy for both the victim and perpetrator, recognizing the tragedy from multiple perspectives. One of Rooks’ siblings simply stated, “I’m sorry for both sides,” acknowledging the devastating impact on the entire family. The case highlights how mental illness can tear apart families and lead to irreversible consequences when left untreated or improperly addressed.
“Over the past several years, Ricky has been suffering immensely from a series of mental illnesses,” she wrote. “We will continue in his efforts of treatment, but we ask in the meantime the public uplift him and his family in immediate prayer & positive energy!!” said Chanel Hudson.
Silentó’s publicist, Chanel Hudson, had previously spoken about his ongoing mental health struggles, pleading for public understanding and support rather than condemnation. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health resources and intervention, particularly in the entertainment industry where young artists often face immense pressure without adequate support systems. Despite these pleas, the justice system ultimately determined that the severity of the crime warranted a substantial prison sentence, regardless of the mental health factors involved.
A Cautionary Tale for the Entertainment Industry
The rapid rise and catastrophic fall of Silentó serves as a sobering cautionary tale about the dark side of instant fame, especially in the rap industry where violent imagery often intersects with real-life tragedies. Many artists who achieve sudden success struggle with the pressures of maintaining relevance, managing newfound wealth, and coping with public scrutiny. Without proper guidance and mental health support, these pressures can contribute to destructive behaviors and, in extreme cases like Silentó’s, violence against others.
The case also raises important questions about how mental illness is addressed within the criminal justice system. While Silentó’s plea of “guilty but mentally ill” acknowledges his psychological challenges, it did not substantially reduce his sentence. He will serve his 30-year term in a standard prison facility, though the designation may allow for additional mental health treatment during his incarceration. For an artist who once had millions of children mimicking his dance moves, the stark reality of his current situation couldn’t be more pronounced.
