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Silentó
Silentó in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Richard Lamar Hawk
Also known as	Ricky Hawk
Born	(1998-01-23) January 23, 1998 (age 26) Stone Mountain, Georgia, U.S.
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop pop rap pop dance-pop snap
Occupations	Rapper singer songwriter
Years active	2015–2021
Website	Official website (archived)

Richard Lamar "Ricky" Hawk (born January 23, 1998), known professionally as Silentó (/ˈsaɪləntoʊ/), is an American former rapper. He is best known for his 2015 debut single "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)", which charted at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 when he was 17 years old.

In the later phase of his career, Hawk was plagued by various controversies, which included erratic statements on social media and mental health struggles. In 2021, he was arrested in DeKalb County, Georgia and charged with the murder of his cousin, following two arrests from the year prior due to breaking into a random home using a hatchet and then driving 143 miles per hour (230 km/h) on a Georgia highway.

Life and career

1998–2018: Early life and "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)"

Richard Lamar "Ricky" Hawk was born on January 23, 1998 in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He has stated that he was born with multiple drugs found in his system, including cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, and that he grew up seeing his family members attempting to kill one another and talking to walls. At age 14, he lived with his great aunt and was soon placed in a juvenile detention center. He was raised in Atlanta, where he began performing music as part of a group while in eighth grade before making solo music as a high schooler. Hawk chose the stage name Silentó based on his achieving his goals being "less talk and more action".

Prompted by losing a high school talent show, Hawk independently released his debut single, "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)", as Silentó on SoundCloud in January 2015. It was based on previous hip hop dance trends including the whip, the Nae Nae, the Stanky Legg, and the Superman. He promoted it on his Instagram and SoundCloud accounts and by performing it at local birthday parties, school events, and roller rinks. The digital distribution network TuneCore soon helped to promote the song through an April 2015 partnership with DanceOn, a dance-based multi-channel network on YouTube that paid its partner channels through Content ID to make videos set to the song with the hashtag #WatchMeDanceOn. User-generated videos on both YouTube and Vine then made the song a dance craze and brought it to viral success by June 2015. It peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it spent 53 weeks, and was certified 6× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also topped Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in September 2015. A&R executive Alex Wilhelm signed Silentó to Capitol Records in May 2015. The song's success made Silentó known as a one-hit wonder.

In June 2015, Silentó performed "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" on the ABC program Good Morning America, which he described as his breakout moment, in conjunction with the release of the song's accompanying music video. It had over 500 million views by December of that year; by 2020, it was one of the most-viewed hip hop music videos on YouTube with 1.7 billion views. Also in 2015, Silentó performed at the BET Awards alongside the cast of the show Black-ish in June, at a Jack Ü concert in August, and at the Circle City Classic in September. "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" was nominated for the Teen Choice Award for Choice Music – R&B/Hip-Hop Song in 2015. Silentó was further featured on a remix of Dawin's October 2015 song "Dessert" and on Sophia Grace's June 2016 song "Girl in the Mirror". He later performed "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" at the 2016 Kids' Choice Awards in March of that year and in Times Square for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve that year.

Silentó's collaborative single with Korean singer Punch was released in 2016 and produced by Brave Brothers; it won the World Collaboration Award at the 26th Seoul Music Awards in January 2017, where Silentó performed it and "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)". Silentó was the featured guest on Let's Dance: The Tour, a national tour from March to May 2016 that also featured DLow, We Are Toonz, iLoveMemphis, and 99 Percent. In March 2017, after failing to appear at two of his scheduled performances in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—one in Al Ain and another in Abu Dhabi—the city of Al Ain placed a travel ban on Silentó, ordering him to forfeit his passport and barring him from leaving the UAE until he paid the shows' promoter 300 thousand dirhams in lost fees. He soon posted a crowdfunding link to his Twitter for his return to the United States titled "Free Silento". Silentó's debut studio album, Fresh Outta High School, was released in August 2018, while its follow-up, Fresh Outta High School, Pt. 2, was released five months later. Steve "Flash" Juon of RapReviews wrote in a review of Fresh Outta High School that the album "unintentionally feels like a slow descent into madness".

2019–present: Legal and mental health issues and murder charges

In May 2019, Silentó appeared on the daytime talk show The Doctors to discuss his adverse childhood experiences and his resulting anxiety and depression. According to Chanel Hudson, his publicist at the time, he was scheduled to make subsequent appearances on other television shows and partake in further therapy sessions but did not attend either. She also stated that he attempted suicide in 2020.

In August 2020, Silentó was arrested by the Santa Ana Police Department and taken into custody by the Orange County Sheriff's Department on a charge of inflicting injury on a cohabitant, then released. The next day, he entered a random home in Valley Village, Los Angeles, wielding a hatchet in search of his girlfriend, swinging it at two people before his friend came to inform him he was at the wrong house. He was disarmed by the family in the home, arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department, and charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Silentó was then arrested in Atlanta and charged with speeding, reckless driving, parking in a prohibited space, and driving on roadways laned for traffic in October 2020 after driving at 143 miles per hour (230 km/h) on Interstate 85, where the speed limit was 65 miles per hour (105 km/h), and telling officers that he was able to drive that quickly because he was "not a regular person". He was released later that day.

At around 3:30 a.m. on January 21, 2021 in DeKalb County, Georgia, Silentó's 34-year-old cousin, Frederick Rooks, was found bleeding profusely by police, with gunshot wounds in his face and leg, before dying. Silentó was arrested in connection with the shooting and charged with malice murder and felony murder. Silentó's grandparents asked the judge to deny his $25,000 bail request.

Musical style

Silentó stated in 2015 that his style, which he described as a mix of rapping and singing, was defined by the lack of profanity in his songs. Although he backtracked on this idea with his later songs. He has named his biggest musical influences as Mariah Carey, Future, Ciara, Young Thug, Cash Out, Rich Kidz, Boosie Badazz, and Usher.

Discography

Mixtapes

Extended plays

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

Promotional singles

Guest appearances

Awards and nominations

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2023)

References

1. ^ Woods, Aleia (September 3, 2020). "Silento Arrested After Walking Into Random Family's House With a Hatchet Looking for His Girlfriend". XXL. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
2. Woods, Aleia (February 2, 2021). "Silento's Publicist Releases Statement Following Rapper's Arrest for Murder". XXL. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
3. ^ Lee, Christina (December 14, 2015). "How Silentó got the nation doing nae nae". Maxim. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
4. ^ Hollis, Henri. "Silento's rep speaks out on rapper's murder charge, recent struggles". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
5. Woods, Aleia (February 2, 2021). "Silento's Publicist Releases Statement Following Rapper's Arrest for Murder". XXL. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
6. ^ Jones, Kathryn E. (July 2, 2015). "Meet Silento, The 17-Year-Old Who Has The Nation Whipping And Nae Nae-Ing". Vibe. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
7. ^ Fekadu, Mesfin (July 25, 2015). "Dance craze, hit song gives rapper Silento a breakthrough". The St. Augustine Record. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
8. Votta, Rae (August 3, 2015). "DanceOn gives upcoming musicians an extra lift in the video space". The Daily Dot. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
9. McKinney, Jessica (December 21, 2015). "Here's How Much Silento Made Off Of 'Whip/Nae Nae'". Vibe. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
10. "As Calum Scott Soars, A&R Exec Alex Wilhelm on Signing Him to Capitol & Finding Hidden Gems When 'Goosebumps Meet Data'". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
11. Gruger, William (May 29, 2015). "Atlanta Rapper Silento's Road to a Label Deal, Chart Success: Professional YouTubers". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
12. Young, Alex (February 1, 2021). "'Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)' Rapper Silento Arrested for Murder". Consequence. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
13. "The kids from Black-ish had the best time at the BET Awards". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
14. Medved, Matt (August 11, 2015). "Skrillex & Diplo Bring Out CL, Vic Mensa, Kiesza & Silento for 'Best Jack Ü Show Ever'". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
15. Lindquist, David (September 24, 2015). "Silento will 'Whip,' 'Nae Nae' at Circle City Classic". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
16. "Teen Choice Awards 2015 Winners: Full List". Variety. August 17, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
17. Stern, Bradley (October 19, 2015). "Dawin's 'Dessert (feat. Silento)' Music Video Tastes Sweet". PopCrush. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
18. Safarian, Greg (June 9, 2016). "Sophia Grace's 'Girl in the Mirror' Music Video With Silentø Can Teach Us All a Few Life Lessons". E! News. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
19. "Kids' Choice Awards: Silento Performs 'Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)'". The Hollywood Reporter. March 12, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
20. "New Year's Eve 2017: Times Square live ball drop and how to watch celebration online". nj.com. December 31, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
21. Benjamin, Jeff (March 15, 2016). "Get Your First Look at Silento's K-Pop Collaboration 'Spot Light' With Punch: Exclusive Video Trailer". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
22. Sharon (January 19, 2017). "GOT7's Bambam And BTS's V's Reactions To Silentó's Performance During #SeoulMusicAwards Are Precious". Hellokpop. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
23. Tutten, James (March 4, 2016). "Whip out the hits". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved September 9, 2024 – via PressReader.
24. "'Watch Me' Rapper Silento Stuck In Dubai Over Business Dispute". Dubai: CBS News. March 2, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
25. Daly, Rhian (September 4, 2020). "Rapper Silento charged after attacking strangers with small axe". NME. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
26. Juon, Steve 'Flash' (April 20, 2021). "Silentó :: Fresh Outta High School". RapReviews. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
27. "Rapper Silento arrested in LA and Santa Ana for alleged assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence". ABC 7. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
28. Daly, Rhian (September 4, 2020). "Rapper Silento charged after attacking strangers with small axe". NME. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
29. "Atlanta rapper Silento arrested after driving 143 mph on I-85, police say". WSBTV. October 25, 2020.
30. Coleman II, C. Vernon (October 25, 2020). "Silento Arrested for Driving Over 140 MPH". XXL. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
31. Hollis, Henri (February 1, 2021). "Atlanta rapper Silento charged with murdering his cousin in DeKalb". Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
32. Li, David K. (August 17, 2021). "Rapper Silento indicted by Georgia grand jury for murder of his cousin". NBC News. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
33. "Rapper Silento Remains In Jail After Judge Denies Request For Bail". BET. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
34. Ellington, Andre J. (June 3, 2015). "Silento discusses the 'Watch Me' dance movement". Rolling Out. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
35. "Fresh Outta High School – Album by Silento on Apple Music". Apple Music. August 3, 2018.
36. "Fresh Outta High School Part 2 by Silentó on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
37. "Silento – Chart history: The Hot 100". Billboard. September 12, 2008. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
38. "Discography Silentó". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
39. "Silento – Chart history: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
40. ^ "Discography Silentó". Danish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
41. "Discographie Silentó". French Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
42. "Discographie Silentó" (Enter "Silentó" into the "Suchen" box). German Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
43. "Discography Silentó". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
44. ^ "Discography Silentó". Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
45. "Discographie Silentó" (select "Charts" tab). Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
46. "Silentó". Official Charts Company.
47. "American certifications – Silento". Recording Industry Association of America.
48. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2016 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
49. "British certifications – Silento". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 8, 2023. Type Silento in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
50. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Silentó)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
51. "Sverigetopplistan – Silento" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
52. "Danish single certifications – Silento – Watch Me (Whip / Nae Nae)". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
53. "Canadian certifications – Silento". Music Canada. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
54. "New Zealand single certifications – Silento – Watch Me (Whip / Nae Nae)". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
55. "No Sense – Single by Silentó on Apple Music". Apple Music. November 17, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
56. Steffen Hung (May 4, 2015). "Discography Silentó". Norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
57. "Lightning in a Bottle (feat. Silentó) – Single by Sunny". iTunes. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
58. "Danish single certifications – Dawin feat. Silentó – Dessert". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
59. "Girl in the Mirror (feat. Silento) – Single by Sophia Grace". iTunes. June 9, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
60. "Emoji (feat. Silentó)". iTunes. September 2, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
61. "Spotlight – Single by Punch". iTunes. April 8, 2016.
62. "Slide (feat. Silentó) – Single by ELS". iTunes. April 7, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
63. "Get Em – Single". iTunes. March 18, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
64. "Winners". BET.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
65. "Watch Performances from the '26th Seoul Music Awards'!". allkpop.com. Retrieved August 15, 2017.

• 1998 births
• Rappers from Georgia (U.S. state)
• 21st-century African-American musicians
• 21st-century American male musicians
• 21st-century American rappers
• African-American male rappers
• American male rappers
• African-American songwriters
• American male songwriters
• Capitol Records artists
• Living people
• People charged with assault
• People charged with murder
• People from Stone Mountain, Georgia
• Pop rappers
• Songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)
• Southern hip-hop musicians
• American hip-hop singers