[3] 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.

[7] 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.

[12] 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.

[1] 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.

[25] 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".

[27] The next day, he entered a random home in Valley Village, Los Angeles, wielding a hatchet in search of his girlfriend, which he swung at two people before his friend came to inform him he was at the wrong house.

[29][30] 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.

[7] He has named his biggest musical influences as Mariah Carey, Future, Ciara, Young Thug, Cash Out, Rich Kidz, Boosie Badazz, and Usher.