Silento: Photos of the ‘Nae Nae’ Rapper Serving 30 Years in Prison

See photos of Silento, the rapper behind “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” who is now serving a 30-year prison sentence following a murder conviction.

Silento rose to fame in 2015 with his viral hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” becoming a household name almost overnight thanks to the track’s catchy hook and dance craze. But years after his breakout moment, the rapper—born Richard Lamar Hawk—made headlines for a very different reason.

In 2021, Silento was arrested and charged with the murder of his cousin, Frederick Rooks. After a lengthy legal process, he pleaded guilty in 2024 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison in June 2025. The case shocked fans and marked a tragic turn in the young artist’s life and career.

Scroll through the gallery below to see photos of Silento over the years.

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