1 Hit Wonder Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For Killing Cousin

In a stunning turn of events, Ricky Lamar Hawk, better known as Silentó, the rapper behind the 2015 viral hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 2021 fatal shooting of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III. The 27-year-old pleaded guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter and other charges, marking a tragic chapter for the once-celebrated artist.

On January 21, 2021, DeKalb County Police found Rooks, 34, dead on a road in Panthersville, southeast of Atlanta, with gunshot wounds to his face and leg. Surveillance footage captured a white BMW fleeing the scene, later linked to Silentó through GPS data and ballistic tests matching bullet casings to a gun in his possession. Ten days after his February 2021 arrest, Hawk confessed to the shooting, though he cited significant mental health struggles, according to authorities.

Hawk faced initial charges of malice murder and felony murder, but a plea deal reduced the charge 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. The deal dropped a felony murder charge, and Hawk received credit for time served since February 2021. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney L. Johnson handed down the 30-year sentence on June 11, 2025, as announced by District Attorney Sherry Boston.

The sentencing has sparked mixed reactions. Rooks’ siblings expressed disappointment, arguing for a harsher penalty, with one brother stating, “We just want justice,” during the hearing. However, another sibling showed mutual sympathy, acknowledging Hawk’s struggles. Posts on X reflect public shock, with users like @HipHopVibe1 and @TheShadeRoom noting the rapper’s mental health challenges, amplified by a statement from his team via @theiconchanel requesting support for Hawk’s family.

Silentó’s rise to fame began at 17 with “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” a dance anthem that hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, racked up 1.9 billion YouTube views, and sparked a global craze. However, his career was overshadowed by legal troubles, including a 2020 arrest for driving 143 mph and another for allegedly attacking two people with a hatchet in Los Angeles. In 2019, Hawk opened up on The Doctors about his lifelong battle with depression, revealing a traumatic childhood marked by exposure to drugs and family violence. “I’ve been fighting demons my whole life,” he said, a sentiment echoed by his PR manager, Chanel Hudson, who cited his mental health struggles post-arrest.