Tragic Downfall: Silentó Sentenced to 30 Years After Deadly

Atlanta rapper Silentó, once a viral sensation known for the 2015 hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the shocking and deadly shooting of his cousin, marking a heartbreaking fall from fame to infamy.

On Wednesday, Ricky Lamar Hawk, now 27, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to multiple charges in the killing of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III, in 2021. The plea included voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and concealing the death of another. As part of the agreement, the original murder charge was dropped.

A Deadly Night in Georgia

The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of January 21, 2021, when DeKalb County police responded to a call and found Rooks lying in the street, dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Nearby, ten shell casings littered the scene. Security footage from a neighboring home captured a white BMW SUV speeding away moments after the shots were fired.

Investigators later confirmed that the SUV belonged to Silentó, and that he had picked up Rooks earlier in the night. Just days later, on February 1, Hawk was arrested. During a subsequent interview, he admitted to the shooting, and ballistics tests later matched the recovered shell casings to the weapon found in his possession at the time of his arrest.

Courtroom Grief and Pleas for Justice

In the courtroom, the emotion was palpable. Rooks’ family members gave statements prior to sentencing, many of them urging the judge to impose an even harsher penalty. They expressed a deep sense of betrayal and grief over losing a loved one at the hands of someone they once considered family.

Superior Court Judge Courtney L. Johnson ultimately handed down the 30-year sentence, which reflected both the severity of the crime and the mental health struggles that have plagued Hawk for years.

A Rapid Rise — and a Painful Decline

Silentó’s life once looked promising. In 2015, at just 17 years old, he skyrocketed to fame with “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” a chart-topping hit that became a viral dance craze. Teenagers, celebrities, and even pro athletes posted their own versions of the moves on social media, making Silentó an overnight sensation.

But as the years passed, it became clear that fame had masked deeper struggles. In a 2019 interview on The Doctors, Hawk opened up about his ongoing battle with mental illness, sharing that he had grown up witnessing violence and instability at home.

“I’ve been fighting demons my whole life, my whole life,” he said, with heartbreaking honesty. “Depression doesn’t leave you when you become famous—it just adds more pressure. And while everybody’s looking at you, they’re also judging you.”

A Pattern of Destructive Behavior

In the months and years before the shooting, Silentó’s erratic and often dangerous behavior became more frequent — and more alarming.

In August 2020, he was arrested in California for domestic violence.
Just one day later, he was charged in Los Angeles with assault with a deadly weapon after storming into a stranger’s home with a hatchet, searching for his girlfriend.
In October 2020, he was pulled over for driving 143 mph on Interstate 85 in Georgia.

These incidents painted a disturbing picture of a young man spiraling out of control, despite earlier success and public calls for help. His publicist, Chanel Hudson, had previously stated that Hawk was “suffering immensely from a series of mental health illnesses.”

She also revealed that he had attempted to take his own life in 2020, a year before the deadly shooting took place.

Fame, Mental Health, and Accountability

The Silentó case underscores a grim reality of modern fame: viral success does not equal emotional wellness. Hawk became a household name nearly overnight, but his personal demons were never far behind.

Despite his mental illness plea, Hawk ultimately accepted responsibility for the tragic death of his cousin. While his 30-year sentence reflects the severity of the crime, it also raises questions about how society treats mental health issues, particularly among young Black men in the entertainment industry.

Mental illness cannot excuse murder — but ignoring the warning signs can be just as deadly.

Final Thoughts: A Viral Legacy Marred by Violence

For many, Silentó will always be the teenager behind the playful “Whip/Nae Nae” dance. But for those closest to the tragedy, his story will forever be intertwined with loss, betrayal, and unfulfilled potential.

His downfall serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when mental health crises go unchecked.

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