Latest news with #NaeNae
Sinar Daily
6 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
‘Whip/Nae Nae' rapper Silentó sentenced to 30 years for killing cousin
MANY may recall the viral dance anthem "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)," the 2015 hit that propelled Atlanta rapper Ricky Lamar Hawk, better known as Silentó, to international fame. Now, the 27-year-old artist has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty but mentally ill to charges connected to the 2021 shooting death of his cousin, 34-year-old Frederick Rooks III. As part of a plea agreement, a murder charge against Hawk was dropped. However, he pleaded guilty to several other charges, including voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and concealing a death. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston confirmed the sentence in a statement issued on Wednesday, June 11. According to DeKalb County police, officers responded to reports of gunfire at around 3.37am on January 21, 2021 in the Panthersville area, near Decatur, Georgia. Upon arrival, they discovered Rooks lying at the intersection of Deep Shoals Circle and Corners Crossing, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services. Investigators recovered 10 spent shell casings near his body. Surveillance footage and GPS data later placed Hawk's white BMW SUV at the scene. Ballistic tests confirmed that a gun found in his possession matched the weapon used in the shooting. A relative had earlier informed police that the rapper had picked up Rooks from a friend's house shortly before the incident. Security footage from a neighbour's home captured the same vehicle fleeing the area at high speed shortly after gunshots were heard. Hawk confessed to the shooting on February 1, 2021, following his arrest. Hawk's defence team and publicist pointed to his long standing mental health struggles as a major contributing factor. The rapper has previously spoken about battling depression, even appearing on the US talk show The Doctors in 2019 to share his experience with suicidal thoughts and the pressure of sudden fame. 'I've been fighting demons my whole life, my whole life. '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. 'I don't know if I can truly be happy, I don't know if these demons will ever go away,' the artist said. His publicist confirmed that he had attempted suicide in 2020 and was grappling with serious mental health issues in the lead-up to the killing. In the meantime, Judge Courtney L. Johnson presided over the case at the DeKalb County Superior Court. While Hawk received a 30-year prison term, Rooks' family expressed disappointment, believing the sentence to be too lenient in light of the severity of the crime. Before the killing, Hawk had several run-ins with the law. In 2020, he was arrested for reckless driving and for breaking into a home while wielding a hatchet. In Aug of the same year, he was detained in Santa Ana, California, on a domestic violence charge. Just a day later, he was charged with assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly entering a residence uninvited and swinging a hatchet at two individuals. Hawk's legal team has called on the public to show compassion and support for the troubled rapper and his family, asking for prayers and positive energy during what they described as an extremely difficult period.
Newsweek
21 hours ago
- Newsweek
'Watch Me' Rapper Silentó Sentenced to 30 Years for Killing His Cousin
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Silentó, the rapper behind the 2015 hit song "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)," was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter and other charges relating to the shooting death of his cousin. Why It Matters Richard Lamar "Ricky" Hawk, who utilizes the stage name Silentó, was accused of fatally shooting his cousin, 34-year-old Frederick Rooks III, in 2021 in Decatur, Georgia. The 27-year-old was initially charged with malice murder, but it was downgraded to voluntary manslaughter as part of the plea agreement. A felony murder charge was dropped. Hawk also pleaded guilty but mentally ill to aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and concealing the death of another, the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office announced in a news release. Rapper Silento poses for a portrait in New York, July 21, 2015. Rapper Silento poses for a portrait in New York, July 21, 2015. Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP, File What To Know The DeKalb County Police Department responded to a report of a person shot at around 3:37 a.m. on January 21, 2021. Officers found Rooks suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. EMS arrived at the scene and confirmed that he was deceased. A family member of the victim told officials that Rooks was last seen with Hawk, who had picked Rooks up from a friend's house in a white BMW SUV. Security camera footage from a home near the crime scene showed a white BMW SUV fleeing the area at a high rate of speed minutes after shots were fired. Hawk was taken into custody on February 1, 2021. He admitted to shooting Rooks in an interview with investigators. Ballistics testing revealed that the bullets found at the scene matched the gun found on Hawk at the time of his arrest. GPS data obtained by officials also showed Hawk's BMW at the scene around the time of the shooting. Chanel Hudson-O'Connor, Hawk's publicist, said he wanted to thank those who shared their support during this "incredibly difficult" time. "Ricky wants his family, fans, and supporters to know that he is deeply sorry for the pain and disappointment he has caused," Hudson-O'Connor said in a statement posted on Instagram. Hawk released "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" on SoundCloud in 2015, drawing inspiration from hip-hop dance trends such as the Whip, the Nae Nae, and the Stanky Leg. The song went viral on YouTube and Vine, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Hawk was arrested in 2020 in Santa Ana, California, on a domestic violence charge, then released. The Los Angeles Police Department charged him with assault with a deadly weapon the next day after the rapper allegedly entered the wrong home while looking for his girlfriend and swung a hatchet at two people. Later that year, he was arrested in DeKalb County after officials said they detected him driving 143 miles per hour on Interstate 85. He was later released. What People Are Saying Chanel Hudson-O'Connor, in a statement posted on Instagram: "We kindly ask the public to continue praying for all parties involved—especially Ricky—as he continues to battle severe mental health challenges." Richard Lamar "Ricky" Hawk, in a statement shared by Hudson-O'Connor: "I can't reverse time, but I can serve the time I've been given lawfully, and strive to positively contribute to whatever my new environment may be." What Happens Next DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson, who presided over the plea hearing, sentenced Hawk to 30 years in prison. Hawk has been held at the DeKalb County Jail since his arrest, and he will receive credit for time served. The Georgia Department of Corrections is responsible for evaluating and treating Hawk's mental health as he serves his sentence, according to state law. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rapper Silentó Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Fatally Shooting His Cousin
Silentó, the rapper best known for his viral 2015 hit 'Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),' has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to the fatal shooting of his cousin. The musician, whose real name is Ricky Lamar Hawk, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges relating to shooting Frederick Rooks in Jan. 2021. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the 27-year-old took a deal to plead guilty to a reduced charge from malice murder to voluntary manslaughter. He also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and concealing the death of another. A separate felony murder charge was dropped as part of the plea agreement. Silentó will serve 30 years in prison with credit for time served since Feb. 2021. The Atlanta rapper was initially arrested after the DeKalb County Police Department found Rooks, 34, with gunshot wounds to his face and leg in January 2021. Rooks was pronounced dead at the scene. Silentó confessed to the murder shortly after, and authorities matched bullet casings to a gun that he had at the time of his arrest. Following Silentó's arrest, his publicist at the time, Chanel Hudson, shared on social media that the rapper had been struggling with mental health issues. 'Over the past several years, Ricky has been suffering immensely from a series of mental illnesses,' she wrote. 'We will continue in his efforts of treatment, but we ask in the meantime the public uplift him and his family in immediate prayer & positive energy!!' Silentó scored a massive hit with his debut single 'Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),' which he released as a junior in high school in 2015. The song was a runaway success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning more than 400 million Spotify streams in the time since. He shared his struggles with mental health in the years that followed, and Hudson claimed that he had attempted suicide in 2020. He had several encounters with law enforcement, including an arrest in Aug. 2020 for domestic violence. That October, he was arrested for driving 143 miles per hour in DeKalb County. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Silentó: American rapper sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing his cousin Frederick Rooks III
American rapper Silentó, best known for his viral 2015 dance hit Watch me (Whip/Nae Nae), has been sentenced to 30 years in prison over the shooting death of his cousin. The 27-year-old, whose real name is Richard 'Ricky' Lamar Hawk, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges relating to the fatal shooting of Frederick Rooks III in 2021. Silentó was sentenced to 30 years in prison with credit for time served since February 2021. The Atlanta artist was initially arrested after the Dekalb County Police Department found Mr Rooks, 34, with gunshot wounds to his face and leg in January 2021. Prosecutors claim Silentó shot his cousin multiple times before fleeing the scene. The rapper admitted to killing Mr Rooks during a post-arrest interview with investigators and authorities said bullet casings from the scene matched the gun found on the rapper when he was arrested. After his arrest, Silentó's publicist at the time, Chanel Hudson, said the rapper had been struggling with mental health issues. 'Over the past several years, Ricky has been suffering immensely from a series of mental illnesses,' she wrote in a statement posted online. 'We will continue in his efforts of treatment but we ask in the meantime the public uplift him and his family in immediate prayer and positive energy!!' The rapper was diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder in jail, according to court filings. Silentó released his most popular song Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) in 2015 when he was a junior, or Year 11 student, at Redgan High School. The song ignited a viral dance trend and spent 51 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No .3. It has more than 400 million Spotify streams and 1.9 billion views on YouTube.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Rapper sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing cousin
American rapper Silentó, best known for his viral 2015 dance hit Watch me (Whip/Nae Nae), has been sentenced to 30 years in prison over the shooting death of his cousin. The 27-year-old, whose real name is Richard 'Ricky' Lamar Hawk, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges relating to the fatal shooting of Frederick Rooks III in 2021. Silentó was sentenced to 30 years in prison with credit for time served since February 2021. The Atlanta artist was initially arrested after the Dekalb County Police Department found Mr Rooks, 34, with gunshot wounds to his face and leg in January 2021. Prosecutors claim Silentó shot his cousin multiple times before fleeing the scene. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. The rapper admitted to killing Mr Rooks during a post-arrest interview with investigators and authorities said bullet casings from the scene matched the gun found on the rapper when he was arrested. After his arrest, Silentó's publicist at the time, Chanel Hudson, said the rapper had been struggling with mental health issues. 'Over the past several years, Ricky has been suffering immensely from a series of mental illnesses,' she wrote in a statement posted online. 'We will continue in his efforts of treatment but we ask in the meantime the public uplift him and his family in immediate prayer and positive energy!!' The rapper was diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder in jail, according to court filings. Silentó released his most popular song Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) in 2015 when he was a junior, or Year 11 student, at Redgan High School. The song ignited a viral dance trend and spent 51 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No .3. It has more than 400 million Spotify streams and 1.9 billion views on YouTube.
