"Watch Me" Star Silento Convicted: 30-Year Prison Sentence for Fatal Shooting
Singer Silento Faces Possible 30-Year Imprisonment
Once a teenage sensation with his viral hit "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)", Ricky Lamar Hawk, better known as Rapper Silento, is now headlining for a different reason - a 30-year prison sentence.
The 27-year-old music artist, who gained fame at 17, has been convicted for shooting his cousin, Frederick Rooks III. According to a press release from the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office, as reported by the "New York Times", Silento admitted his guilt, but claimed to be mentally ill.
The horrific incident unfolded in the early hours of January 21, 2021, in a suburb of Decatur, Georgia. Police reports reveal that officers discovered Rooks III with multiple gunshot wounds outside an apartment complex, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Video surveillance in the neighborhood captured a white BMW SUV fleeing the scene, later traced back to Silento.
Less than two weeks later, on February 11, 2021, the rapper officially confessed to the crime. Ballistic tests supported his statement, confirming the ten shell casings found at the scene matched his weapon.
With his plea of "guilty, but mentally ill", the Georgia Department of Justice is tasked with evaluating and treating Silento's mental health.
Depression and Tumultuous Past
Silento bravely opened up about his depression and troubled upbringing on the TV show "The Doctors" in 2019. "I've been battling demons my whole life," he shared. Witnessing family members talking to walls, fighting, and trying to kill each other, Silento emphasized the traumatic experiences he endured from childhood.
Prior to the fatal shooting, the rapper had several run-ins with the law, including incidents of domestic violence, assault, and road rage. At the time of his arrest, a representative stated that Silento was "suffering from a range of severe mental illnesses."
Global Dance Craze and Tragic Fall
Originally from an Atlanta suburb, Silento made a splash in 2015 with the release of "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)", spawning a global dance craze. The accompanying music video has garnered over 1.9 billion views on YouTube.
Related Themes:- Mental Health- Criminal Justice- Music
- Sources:[1] ntv.de[2] vpr/spot[3] New York Times (Subscription Required)
- Despite his past fame for creating the viral hit "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)", rapper Silento is currently making headlines in general-news channels and crime-and-justice segments, after being convicted for a fatal shooting and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
- Celebrities like Silento, who rose to fame through entertainment, often face public scrutiny when their personal lives cross with crime, as seen in Silento's case where he admitted guilt for shooting his cousin but claimed to be mentally ill.
- The rapper's mental health struggles, which he addressed publicly on the TV show "The Doctors" in 2019, are now under the scrutiny of the Georgia Department of Justice, as part of his conviction and sentencing for the crime.
