“Watch Me Nae Nae” Rapper Silento’s Mugshot Released

Source: Variety / Getty

Rapper Silento, best known for his 2015 hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” has started a 30-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to killing his cousin, Frederick Rooks III, in 2021.

His mugshot was released this week, showing the 27-year-old as he begins his time behind bars. Silento, whose real name is Ricky Lamar Hawk, recently appeared in a Georgia courtroom and agreed to a plea deal. 

The shooting happened on January 21, 2021, in Decatur, Georgia. Police found Rooks dead at the scene with gunshot wounds to his face and leg. Investigators used video footage and bullet evidence to connect Silentó to the crime. He later admitted to the shooting during a police interview. The case shocked many fans who remembered Silentó for his catchy dance track.

His legal team and family have said he struggled with mental health issues for years, and the court took that into account during sentencing. While Silento’s story started with viral fame, it ended in tragedy. The case is a reminder of how quickly things can change and the importance of mental health and getting help when it’s needed.

Silento was only 17 when “Watch Me” came out, and it made him famous. Even though the song was a big hit, he didn’t have many other songs that were as successful. In later years, he faced some serious legal problems. Still, “Watch Me” is remembered as one of the most fun and catchy songs of the 2010s.