Rapper Silentó, best known for his 2015 viral hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” was sentenced this week to 30 years in prison for the 2021 killing of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III.
Silentó—whose real name is Richard Hawk—pleaded guilty but mentally ill to several charges on Wednesday (June 11), including voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and concealing the death of another.
Following the sentencing, a member of Silentó’s team released a statement from the rapper, in which he apologized to fans for the pain and disappointment his actions caused.
“I will continue to make music and work on becoming the best possible version of myself. I can’t reverse the time, but I can serve the time I’ve been given lawfully, and strive to positively contribute to whatever my new environment may be.
I entered this environment as a teenager, often without guidance or direction. While that is not an excuse, it is part of my truth. I pray for growth, evolution, and the ability to find forgiveness — for myself and for this entire situation. God bless y’all,” Silentó said in the statement.
Silentó rose to fame as a teenager with “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” which became a global dance phenomenon and amassed hundreds of millions of views on YouTube. However, in the years that followed, he faced multiple legal and mental health struggles, ultimately culminating in the tragic events that led to his sentencing.
Source: The Shade Room
