Explaining the tragic story of how the Watch Me (Whip Nae Nae) rapper killed his cousin

When I was at university over a decade ago (yikes) in 2015, Silentó was so ubiquitous with his viral rap song Watch Me (Whip / Nae Nae) that it was hard to imagine a pre drinks scenario or a dismal club night without it making some sort of appearance. At the same level of appearance was of course the trending dance that went with it, that dominated Vine in that 2010 era of viral content. Silentó has been at the centre of legal trouble since he was first arrested in 2020, and in 2021 he fatally shot his cousin. Yesterday, Silentó pleaded guilty to the crime and is set to be in prison for the next 30 years – so here’s the full story of everything we know regarding the Watch Me (Whip Nae Nae) rapper and everything that unfolded in this shocking case.

Watch Me (Whip Nae Nae)

Silentó, whose real name is Ricky Hawk, rose to fame in 2015 with his breakout hit Watch Me (Whip Nae Nae), a song that quickly became a viral sensation. It was one of those songs with a catchy hook with easy-to-learn dance moves, the track encouraged listeners to perform the “Whip” and “Nae Nae” — two popular dance moves that had already been gaining traction online. The song exploded across social media platforms, especially YouTube and Vine, where countless fans, celebrities, and even school classrooms shared their own dance videos. Watch Me peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining moment in early internet dance culture, helping to solidify Silentó’s place in the pop culture spotlight, albeit briefly.

Legal troubles

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Silentó’s legal troubles began in 2020, when in August of that year, he was arrested in Santa Ana, California, on charges of domestic violence and later entered a stranger’s home in Valley Village, Los Angeles, wielding a hatchet while searching for his girlfriend. This incident led to charges of assault with a deadly weapon. In October 2020, Silentó was arrested again in Georgia for driving at 143 mph on Interstate 85, claiming he was not a “regular person” and had the right to speed due to being followed by fans.

In 2021, Silentó shot his cousin

In January 2021, Silentó’s cousin, Frederick Rooks III, was found shot to death in DeKalb County, Georgia. Surveillance footage and GPS data linked Silento to the crime scene, leading to his arrest. He was charged with malice murder, felony murder, and other offenses. In June 2025, Silentó pleaded guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault, resulting in a 30 year prison sentence. The murder charge was dropped as part of the plea agreement.

Prior to the murder, Silentó had a documented history of mental health struggles, including depression and suicide attempts. When he was arrested in 2021, his grandparents asked the judge to deny his $25,000 bail request. 

Silentó had publicly spoken about his struggles with his mental health in 2019, before the murder that led to the Watch Me (Whip Nae Nae) rapper go to prison. “I’ve been fighting demons my whole life, my whole life,” he said at the time. “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.”

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