California man creates his own MICRONATION called Slowjamastan in desolate Golden State
A radio DJ from San Diego has created his own micronation called ‘Slowjamastan’ and has appointed himself ‘Sultan’ of the 11-acre territory in the Golden State.
Randy ‘R Dub’ Williams has visited every UN designated country – more than 190 across the world – and has resorted to creating his own nation under his rules.
‘I’ve seen some incredible places that many people do not get the chance to travel to … What’s next for me, it’s to make a country of my own,’ Williams told FOX 5.
Like any country, the micronation has rules for residents. Outlawed actions include wearing crocs, eating string cheese by biting it instead of pulling it apart, and playing ‘mumble rap’ music.
The micronation has not been officially recognized by the United States although Williams’ Slowjamastan passport has been stamped by 16 countries. He also claims 5,000 people have signed-up to become citizens.
Radio DJ Randy ‘R Dub’ Williams has created his own micronation called ‘Slowjamastan’ and has appointed himself ‘Sultan’ of the country found in the Golden State
Like any country, the micronation has rules for residents. Outlawed actions include wearing crocs, eating string cheese by biting it, and playing ‘mumble rap’ music
The micronation has not been officially recognized by the United States although Williams’ Slowjamastan passport has been stamped by 16 countries
Micronations like Slowjamastan are independent but are not formally recognized by sovereign states. There are an estimated 70 around the world.
It was a micronation in Nevada called ‘Republic of Molossia’ that gave Williams the idea to come up with Slowjamastan.
Since buying the land in 2021, the Sultan has put real elbow grease into cultivating the nation and putting it on the map.
The country has a national anthem called ‘Slowjamastan (I think It’s Gonna Be an Awesome Place),’ a ‘parliament,’ and a national animal – the ringtail raccoon.
Slowjamastan also has its own currency – the ‘duble,’ which is a play on Russia’s currency, the Ruble.
When asked what the structure of the government is, the ‘Sultan’ said it’s a dictatorship that’s occasionally a democracy.
‘We are a republic on some days, but on (other) days we have a dictatorship,’ the radio DJ told FOX 5.
‘I am the great leader that makes the rules, although sometimes … we let the community chime in on issues that are important to the Slowjamastani,’ he said.
Aside from the ban on crocs and outlawing of ‘mumble rap,’ residents are not allowed to drive in the left lane unless actually passing another car.
No citizens live in Slowjamastan but there are thousands of citizens around the world and tons who are still waiting in line.
A sign outside of the Republic of Slowjamastan in Imperial County, California
This is the landscape where Slowjamastan holds 11 acres in Southern California
Micronations like Slowjamastan are independent but are not formally recognized by sovereign states. There are an estimated 70 around the world
Williams said the name of his new country is a reference to his time as a slow-jams DJ on Magic 92.5 in Southern California.
‘The sultan is the sultan of slow jams,’ Williams said.
‘He loves the Boys II Men, and the Usher, and the Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross and Anita Baker,’ the man said, speaking in third person.
‘That’s just kind of the tie-in we wanted – the land of slow jams where people could come and just vibe out and relax,’ the ‘Sultan’ continued.
Williams said the micronation has no infrastructure but plans are in place to build solar power facilities, an armadillo farm, and a Mongolian BBQ restaurant.
He said he hopes that the U.S. will recognize Slowjamastan with additional developments to the barren state and residents, of which they already have many.
‘We have citizens from all over six continents,’ Williams told the San Diego outlet.
‘We are very proud citizens … These people are proud to be a part of something new and fresh,’ the ‘Sultan’ continued.
Those who want to travel to ‘The United Territories of The Sovereign Nation of The People’s Republic of Slowjamastan’ will need to procure a visa.
Without permission, visitors are unable to come into the area and are encouraged to take a selfie with the border sign on Highway 78 in Imperial County.
Williams said the micronation has no infrastructure but plans are in place to build solar power facilities, an armadillo farm, and a Mongolian BBQ restaurant
A sign outside of ‘Dublandia,’ the capital of Slowjamastan
Micronations are legal but are considered independent developments that exist as a state within a state, similar to Native American reservations.
The concept of the small, self-governed countries is certainly not new.
The Empire of Atlantium, a micronation founded in 1981 in a suburb of Sydney, was reported on by BBC in 2022 for the way that it came into the public eye.
Founder George Cruickshank, a teenager at the time, declared the ‘nation’ independent from Australia and has maintained that status since.
‘The idea of a sovereign nation state having complete authority over its citizens within defined borders is only a fairly recent development, and it led to all of the horrors of the 20th Century,’ said Cruickshank.