He Exhausted All Countries to Explore, So He Forged His Own
A globetrotting DJ from San Diego, after exploring all 193 UN-recognized nations, establishes his own micronation, the Sultanate of Slowjamastan, in the Californian desert Eager to gain diplomatic recognition, he embraces a self-proclaimed dictatorship
Sign up for CNN Travel's weekly newsletter, Unlocking the World, and receive updates on newly opened destinations, travel inspiration, the latest in aviation, food, accommodations, and other travel developments. "I like to keep it simple," says Randy "R Dub!" Williams, a late-night "slow jams" DJ from San Diego, also known as "the Sultan of Slowjamastan." "I ran out of countries, so I created my own."
At night, Williams works as a broadcaster, but by day, he's on a mission to visit every country in the world. With just one UN-recognized nation left to visit, Williams decided to create his own "country" by purchasing an 11.07-acre plot of empty arid land in the California desert. Donning his best suit and sunglasses, the sultan of Slowjamastan officially declared independence from the United States of America at 12:26 p.m. on December 1, 2021, while broadcasting the secession live from his open-air government "office" in Dublândia, the capital of the Republic of Slowjamastan.
Two years later, the Sultan of Slowjamastan has implemented some unusual laws, such as banning the wearing of Crocs. However, the Republic now possesses the elements of a developing nation-state, including its own passports, flag, currency ("the duble"), and national anthem for state events.
The Republic of Slowjamastan boasts over 500 registered citizens, with an additional 4,500 individuals conditionally approved or waiting for citizenship. As Williams nears his lifelong goal of visiting every country in the world, he is inviting tourists to experience the Republic of Slowjamastan as he aims to establish the world's leading "micronation."
The Sultan of Slowjamastan
Williams bought a plot of land in the California desert to create his country.
Republic of Slowjamastan Ministry of Communications
"When I'm not on the radio, I'm likely visiting a lesser-known country," Williams told CNN before embarking on a trip to Turkmenistan, the final country on his list of 193 UN-recognized nations. "After visiting 193 countries, I wanted a 194th, which is why I created Slowjamastan!"
Located off California State Route 78, a two-and-a-half-hour drive northwest of San Diego, the self-declared "country" of The United Territories of The Sovereign Nation of The Peoples Republic of Slowjamastan is nothing more than desert. Despite this, Williams has put up a large "Welcome to Slowjamastan" sign by the highway, built a border control post, and proudly flies the colorful Slowjamastan flag above his open-air ministerial office.
After seeing various "micronations" during his travels, Williams was inspired to create his own country. During a visit to the Republic of Molossia in August 2021, an 11.3-acre micronation in Nevada that declared independence from the United States of America in 1998, he was given a personal tour by "His Excellency President Kevin Baugh." Williams learned about the Republic of Molossia's ongoing "war" with now-defunct East Germany, how their local currency (the "valora") is backed by chocolate chip cookie dough instead of gold, and even had his passport stamped and his photo taken on the "border" with the United States.
A dictatorship in the desert
Upon returning to San Diego, Williams wasted no time in devising ambitious schemes for his own micronation. He proceeded to buy a plot of land for $19,000 in October 2021 and subsequently declared Slowjamastan's independence by December.
Williams says there have been plenty of people lining up to become Slowjamastan citizens.
The Ministry of Communications in the Republic of Slowjamastan operates as a dictatorship, according to Williams. However, there are occasional voting ceremonies and referendums. Recently, citizens were allowed to vote on the national fruit, sport, and the name of the national animal.
Rephrased
The presence of a dictatorial sultan as the head of state in a "republic" may appear paradoxical, but that is precisely the point. Williams has explored some of the world's most intriguing destinations and has personally witnessed the peculiar cults of personality and contradictions that are present in places like The Democratic People's Republic of North Korea.
Wearing a bright green sultan's uniform adorned with faux military decorations, golden epaulets, and tinted sunglasses, Williams enjoys posing for photographs and delivering public speeches. He employs "border guards" and maintains a "security" entourage when organizing events in the Republic of Slowjamastan. Furthermore, Williams enforces a set of restrictions that all citizens and visitors must adhere to in order to avoid "banishment." Presently, these prohibitions include "Crocs," "mumble rap," and "people who put their feet on the dashboard."
The Sultan of Slowjamastan's character and attire serve as William's way of comically highlighting the absurdities found in politics and dictatorships. There is a long line of individuals eager to participate in his micronational experiment. Interested individuals can seek citizenship and cabinet positions through the Slowjamastan website, with the popularity of the initiative evidenced by a backlog of applications numbering in the thousands.
In a recent development, the Sultan has opened the borders to tourists and shared with CNN Travel that the most popular activities include taking selfies in front of the Slowjamastan sign, visiting Independence Square, and searching for the elusive Slowjamastan raccoon, the national animal.
His next ambitious goal is to secure the necessary funds to construct a lazy river, an armadillo farm, an all-you-can-eat Mongolian BBQ restaurant, and, naturally, a massive statue or monument of The Great Leader (myself).
"We also offer a variety of events throughout the year," Williams shares, "such as chances to get your Slowjamastani passport stamped, participate in the celebration of new states, and even meet the sultan."
In search of diplomatic recognition
Williams says he's working on diplomatic ties with other countries.
Republic of Slowjamastan Ministry of Communications
Williams is actively pursuing diplomatic relations with other countries and has obtained passport stamps from 16 different countries, such as South Africa, New Zealand, Vanuatu, and the United States, during his recent travels. He emphasizes that Slowjamastan meets the established criteria for a sovereign nation-state as outlined in the 1933 Montevideo Convention, widely regarded as the most comprehensive definition of a country.
The Republic of Slowjamastan meets all the requirements set out by the Montevideo Convention, including a permanent population, defined territory, a functioning government, and the ability to engage in diplomatic relations with other nations, according to Williams.
The next step is for the sultan to seek recognition of his micronation's secession from the United States, although even Williams acknowledges that this may be overly ambitious.
"I must admit, I'm a bit frustrated that our emails and DMs to President Biden on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even MySpace have gone unanswered," Williams stated. "Maybe they're just stuck in his spam folder. That's what we'll go with."
