The name that many people still recall due to his viral single Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) is Richard Lamar Hawk, also known as Silento. Silento was a normal high school student until 2015, when he virtually became an internet sensation around the world. But, even as his music career started on a high note, his financial walks of life have included highs, lows, and a serious legal entanglement. As of 2025, the net worth of Silento is projected to be around half a million dollars.
This article will discuss the ways in which Silento made his money, the issues that affected his net worth, his early life in the music industry, his personal struggles, and the significant losses that affected his wealth.
The Breakout Success of “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)”
Silento initially rose to fame in early 2015, after he released his breakout single Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) on YouTube when he was still in high school, as a junior. Coupled with the simple dance moves that are very easy to share, the catchy song became viral. It created more than a billion views on YouTube in a very short span of time and took over social media apps such as Vine, Instagram, and Facebook.
The song was not only popular on internet-based platforms, but also in the mainstream music arena. Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) became a tremendous success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and made Silento one of the most discussed young artists of the year. The success in the mainstream resulted in a recording contract with Capitol Records, providing Silento with major financial prospects at such a young age.
He appeared on various national television programs and performed his hit song at big award events. At some point, the name Silento became one of the most widespread in pop culture, and the song played at school dances, sporting events, and everywhere in between.
How Silento Made His Money
Most of the riches that Silento enjoys are attributed to the success of Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae). The viral hit song generated a significant amount of income in digital streaming, YouTube advertising revenue, performance royalties, concert performances, and merchandise sales.
Although he never equaled the success of his debut hit, Silento attempted to have a long-term career in the music industry. He then released his debut extended play (EP), Fresh Outta High School, in 2018 and a sequel Fresh Outta High School Part 2 in 2019. His breakout single, however, was not repeatable in these projects in terms of commercial success.
Another source of income was the live performances at different shows, public events, and private bookings that Silento gave. The fame garnered him sponsorship and brand deal opportunities, as well as TV appearances, all of which earned him extra income during the initial years of his career.
Legal Issues and Their Financial Impact
Sadly, his legal problems derailed the progress of Silento in the industry. In 2021, Silento was arrested and charged with the 2019 murder of his cousin by shooting. In 2023, he entered a guilty but mentally ill plea to a variety of charges, including voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during a crime, and concealing the death. The murder charge was dismissed as part of a plea bargain.
Silento was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2025. This progression permanently disabled his capacity to perform, tour, or otherwise remain an active participant in the music industry, greatly decreasing his potential earnings in the future. The attorney expenses, court expenses, and the financial aftermath that he continues to face as a result of these criminal actions have also contributed to his decreasing net worth.
Mental Health Challenges
Besides legal issues, Silento has experienced serious mental health problems. It has been reported that his behavior that led to his arrest was due to some underlying mental conditions. His criminal agreement admitted that he had mental health problems, which were considered during the eventual sentencing.
Mental health challenges have also contributed to disruptions in his music career. Difficulties in managing his personal life, combined with legal battles, have made it hard for Silento to sustain long-term success in the highly competitive music industry.
Comparing Early Fame to Current Reality
The story of Silento involving money is not new to the Show business. Most young musicians gain immediate popularity and cannot sustain their careers in the long run. In the case of Silento, he became a star at a very young age; this factor could have led to his subsequent downfall.
During the low-hanging fruit phase of his career, Silento probably made a few million dollars off his viral song, shows, and endorsements. But the lack of follow-up success has led to poor financial judgments, legal expenses, and personal baggage that has diminished much of that fortune.
In 2025, Silento has a net worth of $500,000, which indicates the measure of success he has attained and the losses that have impacted his wealth. Considering his current situation, it is nevertheless a substantial amount but a fraction of what it could have been had his career taken a different turn.
Royalties and Ongoing Earnings
Despite having his legal issues putting a stop to any new performances and recordings, Silento still makes a slight amount of money in royalties from Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae). The song has become a nostalgic classic, which is played at events and parties, and on social media. These royalties are helping him maintain his present net worth, but they are not sufficient to make him wealthy by the standards he had before.
His music is still receiving royalties through streaming sites like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Sale of merchandise and licensing agreements can also be an occasional source of income, though these sources of revenue have presumably declined since his greatest popularity.
Conclusion
In 2025, Silento Net Worth stands at approximately $500,000. His early success with Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)brought him fame, fortune, and worldwide recognition. However, legal issues, mental health struggles, and an inability to maintain his music career have limited his financial growth. Today, while his viral hit still earns him some income, his legal troubles and prison sentence have brought his once-promising career to a halt.
