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

Australia Anzac Day

Australia and New Zealand honour their war dead with dawn services on Anzac Day

Fake Electors Indictment Arizona

Arizona indicts 18 for 2020 election interference including Rudy Giuliani

Amy Dowden revealed Princess Kate’s sweet message of support to her after she shared her cancer diagnosis last year.

Amy Dowden reveals Princess Kate’s sweet message of support to her after she shared cancer diagnosis last year

Darrel Campbell was named as the hero teacher who disarmed the girl.

Pictured: Hero teacher who disarmed school attacker ‘going mad’ as teenage girl arrested after three were stabbed

A teenage girl was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Teacher ‘lucky to be alive’ after three injured in horror playground attack at school as teenage girl arrested

Labour will pledge to nationalise the railways if elected into government.

Labour pledges to renationalise railways within five years if elected in 'biggest overhaul in a generation'

Tina Malone has said her husband's death was the 'worst day of her life'.

'The worst day of my entire life’: Tina Malone gives heartbreaking update six weeks after husband Paul Chase's death

Migration Britain Rwanda

Hope Hostel was once home to genocide survivors – now it will house UK migrants

Showjumper Katie Simpson, 21, died in August 2020

Horse trainer, 36, on trial for rape and murder of showjumper, 21, found dead at home while out on bail

Landmarks Around Paris Ahead Of The Summer Olympics

Boy, 16, who said he wanted to 'die a martyr' at the Paris Olympics arrested in France

The UK will 'need an Iron Dome in the future', the head of the Armed Forces has told LBC.

UK in ‘live conversations’ to develop ‘Iron Dome’ defence system, head of Armed Forces tells LBC

Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary says he'd 'happily' offer Rwanda deportation flights

Russia Ukraine War Missiles

Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly sent from US to hit Russian-held areas

Austria Klimt Auction

Portrait by Gustav Klimt sold for £25.7 million at auction in Vienna

Five people have been injured as well as some of the horses

Household Cavalry horses 'safe and receiving treatment' as three soldiers among those injured in London rampage

All Saints Catholic College is piloting longer school days.

London school pilots 11-hour day with phone ban to improve wellbeing of pupils