Rap star Silento charged with murder of cousin

2 February 2021, 06:00 | Updated: 2 February 2021, 08:33

Rapper Silento, known for the 2015 viral song Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae), has been charged with the murder of his cousin
Rapper Silento, known for the 2015 viral song Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae), has been charged with the murder of his cousin. Picture: PA

By Kate Buck

Rapper Silento, known for the 2015 viral song Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae), has been charged with the murder of his cousin, police have said.

The 23-year-old, real name is Richard Lamar Hawk, was arrested on Monday for the killing of Frederick Rooks, according to the DeKalb County Police Department in Georgia.

The force said Rooks, 34, was found with multiple gunshot wounds on January 21, and died from his injuries.

Hawk was identified as the suspect and arrested, and police say they are working to determine a motive for the killing.

Hawk is in the DeKalb County Jail, they added.

In September the hip-hop star was charged with assault after allegedly attacking two strangers with a hatchet in Los Angeles.

He was alleged to have walked into a stranger's unlocked home and attacked two people before one of them disarmed him, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) was a viral hit in 2015 and spawned a dance challenge.

Despite its popularity, it was largely panned by critics. Pop culture magazine Complex called it "one of the most annoying things to ever exist".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

he Dongfeng 41, a Chinese nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile

China is growing its nuclear weapons stockpile faster than any other country, report warns

Elon Musk in the White House's Oval Office

Elon Musk shares details of drugs test after bombshell report claims he took 'cocktail of substances' as head of DOGE

AIR INDIA 787 DREAMLINER

Air India flight to London cancelled days after Dreamliner disaster killed at least 270

Kim's family decribed the star as an 'incredibly kind, caring, charismatic and strong person.'

How Clean is Your House? star Kim Woodburn dies aged 83 after a short illness as tributes pour in

Food distributed to Palestinians in Gaza amid Israeli attacks

Israeli tank shelling on crowds waiting for aid kills 45 Palestinians in Khan Younis

Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Air India Dreamliner identical to doomed flight AI171 'suffered engine failure before making emergency landing' in 2023

Rescue workers clear the rubble of a multi-storey residential house destroyed by a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine

At least 14, including US citizen, dead as Russia launches massive wave of drone and missile strikes at Kyiv

Dumont Road, Stoke Newington.

40 firefighters tackle suspected gas explosion in north-east London as police probe underway

Exclusive
Greta Thunberg gets arrested at the Oily Money Out protest - Fossil free london and extinction rebellion protest outside The Energy intelligence forum (also known as the Oscars for the oil industry) event at the Intercontinetal Hotel, park lane, in 2023

Government 'quietly drops' fight for tougher anti-protest laws used to arrest climate activist Greta Thunberg

US President Donald Trump speaking to the media at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada

Trump leaves G7 summit early over Middle East tensions as he issues evacuation warning for Tehran

Matthew Perry attends 'The Circle' screening during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 26, 2017 in New York City.

Doctor to plead guilty to supplying Friends star Matthew Perry with ketamine

The son of a woman who died while skydiving said she was "just trying something new" when her family lost her.

‘Caring’ mother-of-four who died while skydiving was ‘just trying something new’, son says

NHS 999 staff are quitting and suffering burnout caused by the "relentless pressure" of calls, according to new research.

NHS 999 staff quitting and suffering burnout due to ‘relentless pressure’ of calls, research finds

Using a mobile phone to use TikTok video sharing site

Warning issued over people posting medical procedures on TikTok or Instagram 'for likes'

Russ Cook

Gen-Z adults with a fitness regime ‘more likely to have a financial plan’

Daytime view of a busy Oxford Street

Sir Sadiq Khan to pedestrianise Oxford Street ‘as quickly as possible’