Rapper, Silento begins 30-year sentence with mugshot

Silentó, the rapper who rose to fame in 2015 with the viral hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” has officially begun serving a 30-year prison sentence — and he’s doing so with a noticeably different appearance in his mugshot.

The 27-year-old, whose real name is Ricky Lamar Hawk, was recently photographed in a new mugshot sporting a buzz cut, marking a stark change from the image fans remember during his breakout success.

Silentó was convicted for his involvement in the 2021 shooting death of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III. The Georgia Department of Corrections this week confirmed his status as an active inmate, with a projected release date listed as January 2051.

According to statements from his team, Silentó has expressed deep remorse over the incident and continues to grapple with long-standing mental health challenges. Despite his incarceration, sources say he plans to keep creating music while behind bars.

As news of his updated look circulates online, many fans have reacted with a mix of surprise and sympathy — a sobering reminder of how quickly fame can take a tragic turn.