Silento, the rapper best known for his hit song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” has been sentenced to 30 years in prison in connection with the 2021 death of his cousin, Frederick Rooks.

On Wednesday, June 11, Silento, whose real name is Ricky Hawk, appeared in court in DeKalb County, Ga. According to court records, he pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges related to the shooting. In exchange for prosecutors dropping a malice murder charge, Silento pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, posession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and concealing the death of another.

He received a 20-year sentence for manslaughter, and two five-year sentences for aggravated assault and firearm possession, respectively. He was given credit for time served sence his arrest in February of 2021.

Silento’s Rise to Fame and Legal Troubles

Silento achieved widespread fame in 2015 with “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” a single that has since been certified platinum six times and has garnered nearly 2 billion views on YouTube. Tho, his career has been marred by legal issues. In 2020, he was arrested for entering a random home with a hatchet, allegedly searching for his girlfriend. that same year,he was arrested for speeding in Georgia,driving at 140 miles per hour.

He received 20 years for the manslaughter charge, while getting five years each for aggravated assault and firearm possession.

The Arrest and Charges

in February 2021, shortly after his 23rd birthday, Silento was arrested and charged with the murder of his 34-year-old cousin, Frederick Rooks, who had been fatally shot in January of that year.Following the arrest, Silento’s publicist issued a statement indicating that Silento had been suffering from mental health issues for several years and was experiencing a bipolar episode at the time of the killing. Earlier in 2025, reports indicated that Silento had been deemed mentally unfit to stand trial.