Atlanta rapper Silentó, best known for his viral 2015 hit "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)," has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 2021 shooting death of his cousin, Frederick Rooks. The artist, whose real name is Ricky Lamar Hawk, was 27 at the time of sentencing and had pleaded guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, illegal possession of a firearm during a felony, and concealing a death. His plea deal resulted in the dismissal of a more serious malice murder charge, and he will receive credit for the four years he has already spent in custody since his arrest in early 2021.

The fatal incident occurred on January 21, 2021, when DeKalb County police responded to a shooting outside a home near Decatur, Georgia. Officers found Rooks, 34, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators recovered ten shell casings near the body and obtained security footage showing a white BMW SUV, later linked to Silentó, fleeing the scene shortly after the gunshots. A family member reported that Rooks was last seen with Silentó, who had picked him up earlier that day.

Following his arrest, Silentó admitted to the shooting during police questioning, and forensic analysis matched shell casings from the scene to a firearm found in his possession. The rapper’s legal team and publicist highlighted his ongoing mental health struggles, which were acknowledged in court and factored into his plea agreement. Over the years, Silentó had spoken publicly about battling depression, anxiety, and trauma, and his representatives requested continued support and understanding for his mental health challenges.

The sentencing marks a dramatic fall for Silentó, who was just a teenager when "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" became a global sensation, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and amassing nearly two billion views on YouTube. Despite his musical success, his later years were marked by legal troubles, including arrests for domestic violence and firearm offenses, as well as documented suicide attempts and worsening mental health.