From Viral Dance King To 30-Year Sentence: The Shocking Downfall Of The Rapper Behind "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)"

The global phenomenon of "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" defined a generation of viral dance crazes, but the story of the young artist behind the hit has taken a dark and tragic turn. As of December 2025, Ricky Lamar Hawk, known to the world as Silentó, is no longer the fresh-faced teenage sensation whose catchy hooks and iconic moves dominated social media and airwaves in 2015. His career trajectory, once soaring on the back of billions of views, has ended in a shocking conviction and a decades-long prison sentence, providing a stark and sobering contrast to his fleeting moment of fame. The details of his legal troubles and eventual sentence are a grim reminder of the pressures and pitfalls that can accompany sudden, overwhelming viral success.

The song itself, a cultural touchstone that merged the "Whip" and "Nae Nae" dances into a single, irresistible track, remains an emblem of mid-2010s pop culture, but the artist's personal narrative has tragically overshadowed his musical legacy. The latest updates confirm the severity of his conviction in a case involving the fatal shooting of his cousin. This article delves into the complete biography of the Atlanta rapper, the explosive rise of his signature song, and the full, devastating details of the crime and the subsequent 30-year sentence that has put an end to his freedom until at least the year 2051.

Ricky Lamar Hawk (Silentó): Complete Biography and Profile

Ricky Lamar Hawk, better known by his stage name Silentó, was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 22, 1998. His life before 2015 was that of a typical high school student, but his destiny changed almost overnight with the release of his debut single. He was only 17 years old when he achieved global stardom.

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• Full Name: Ricky Lamar Hawk
• Known As: Silentó
• Born: January 22, 1998
• Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
• Age at Sentencing: 27 (as of the reported sentencing period)
• Genre: Hip hop, R&B
• Debut Single: "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" (Released May 5, 2015)
• Record Label: Capitol Records (at the time of the hit)
• Legal Status: Currently incarcerated, serving a 30-year prison sentence.
• Estimated Potential Release Date: January 2051 (based on Georgia state records).

Silentó's rise was a classic example of the power of the internet and social media. His music was not initially met with critical acclaim, but its infectious beat and simple, easy-to-follow dance instructions made it a viral sensation. The success was driven almost entirely by the massive online engagement, particularly on platforms like YouTube, where the official music video has amassed over 1.9 billion views.

The Cultural Impact of the "Whip" and "Nae Nae" Dance Phenomenon

The phrase "watch whip watch me nae nae" is instantly recognizable as the core lyric and driving force behind Silentó’s 2015 mega-hit. The song’s brilliance lay in its simplicity: it was an instruction manual for a dance. It combined several popular dance moves into a cohesive, four-minute routine, making it accessible to everyone from professional athletes to elementary school children.

The Anatomy of the Viral Dance Craze

The song is essentially a mashup of two pre-existing, popular dance moves, which provided the song with its instant familiarity and danceability. The two primary entities are:

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• The Whip: This move involves a quick, sharp motion of the arm, as if one is vigorously cracking a whip. It typically involves a sudden stop and a change of direction, giving it a dynamic, energetic feel.
• The Nae Nae: The "Nae Nae" move originated with the Atlanta-based hip-hop group We Are Toonz, who released a song called "Drop That #naenae" in 2013. The dance itself was inspired by the character Sheneneh Jenkins, played by Martin Lawrence on the 1990s sitcom Martin, specifically her signature hands-on-hips, head-waving attitude.

Silentó’s track successfully fused these two distinct dance entities with other moves like the "Stanky Leg," the "Dab," and the "Bop," creating a dance medley that became a global challenge. The song peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified five-times platinum, cementing its place as one of the defining songs of the 2010s.

The Tragic Fall: Silentó's Legal Troubles and 30-Year Sentence

The fame and fortune derived from the "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" phenomenon were short-lived, giving way to a series of escalating legal and personal struggles for Ricky Lamar Hawk. The most devastating chapter began in 2021 when he was arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III, in DeKalb County, Georgia.

The Details of the Crime and Conviction

The events leading to the shooting and subsequent conviction are complex and deeply tragic. The victim, 34-year-old Frederick Rooks III, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds on January 21, 2021. Following a lengthy investigation, Silentó was identified as the suspect and charged with murder.

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In a shocking development that brought the case to a close, the Atlanta rapper pleaded guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter and other related charges, including aggravated assault and concealing a death. This plea deal effectively acknowledged his culpability in the death while recognizing his documented struggles with mental health issues, which his representatives had previously spoken about.

The sentencing, which was widely reported in 2024 and 2025, confirmed the severity of the court's decision. Silentó was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the voluntary manslaughter of his cousin. The judge's ruling means the one-time viral sensation will spend the vast majority of his adult life incarcerated, with Georgia state records indicating a potential release date not until January 2051.

The Aftermath and Legacy

The story of Silentó serves as a profound cautionary tale about the volatility of sudden fame and the importance of mental health support in the entertainment industry. The contrast between the joy and carefree nature of the "Whip/Nae Nae" dance and the grim reality of a 30-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter is stark. The case involved multiple complex entities, including the DeKalb County District Attorney's office and the Georgia state prison system, all of which played a role in the final judgment.

While the music video continues to rack up views, the artist himself is now known less for his catchy lyrics and more for the tragic end to his freedom. His representative has stated that Silentó plans on making music during his incarceration, a difficult path given his lengthy sentence and the limitations of the prison environment. The legacy of "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" is now inextricably linked to this devastating personal downfall, transforming a cheerful pop culture moment into a story of profound loss and consequence.

The case highlights the intense scrutiny and pressure faced by young artists, especially those who achieve fame through the unpredictable nature of viral trends. For many, the song will forever be associated with a simpler, happier time, but for those who follow the full story of Ricky Lamar Hawk, it is a reminder of a life derailed by violence and mental distress.

The entities central to this tragic narrative—Silentó, Ricky Lamar Hawk, Frederick Rooks III, the Whip, the Nae Nae, Voluntary Manslaughter, 30-Year Sentence, 2015 Viral Hit, Atlanta Rapper, DeKalb County—together paint a picture of a spectacular rise and an equally spectacular, and heartbreaking, fall from grace.