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- Atlanta rapper Silento was charged on Monday in connection to the murder of his cousin, police said.
- Ricky Hawk, 23, was charged with felony murder and is being held in county jail.
- Hawk is best known for his song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” which inspired a viral dance craze in 2015.
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An Atlanta rapper recognized for his song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” was charged in connection to the murder of a family member, according to police and local reports.
Silento, born Ricky Hawk, was arrested on Monday in DeKalb County, Georgia, amid an investigation of his 34-year-old cousin’s fatal shooting, police said on Twitter.
—DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) February 1, 2021
NBC News cited an incident report that said the rapper’s cousin, Frederick Rooks, was found on a street in Panthersville, Georgia, on January 21 with gunshot wounds in the face and leg.
Police obtained security footage from neighbors that showed multiple vehicles speeding and leaving the scene, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported. Authorities discovered at least eight bullet casings near the victim’s body, according to local news station WSB-TV.
A spokesperson told Atlanta-Journal Consitution that the 23-year-old was sent to DeKalb County Jail and charged with felony murder, jail records show. He is being held without bond, AJC’s report said.
It doesn't appear Hawk has entered a plea yet.
Silento's "Watch Me (Whip/ Nae Nae)" dance craze song released in 2015 has more than 1 billion views on YouTube and reached No. 3 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.