Slowjamastan: the micronation created by self-proclaimed Sultan DJ

"I ran out of countries, so I created my own." It is not the most grandiose statement that can be expected from someone who proclaims himself sultan, but it is a quote that is already contemporary history.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

Randy Williams, is a well-known radio host from San Diego (United States) and, since December 1, 2021, the Sultan of Slowjamastan. And yes, you may have never heard of this micronation and there is a reason: it is not recognized as a sovereign country. At least not yet....

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

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It all begins when, indeed, Randy Williams, a tireless traveler, ran out of countries to visit. In August 2021, the last one he visited before his personal project was the Republic of Molossia, which achieved independence from the United States in 1998.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

The president of Molossia, Kevin Baugh, told him how he had achieved such a feat and Randy Williams decided to try to do the same, as reported by The Guardian. Two months later, the radio announcer and DJ bought a nearly 11.07-acre (45,000 m2) plot of empty arid land in the California desert , near Route 78, two and a half hours by car northwest of San Diego.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

Two years later, that land is known as the United Territories of the Sovereign Nation of the People's Republic of Slowjamastan, and its self-proclaimed sultan, good old Randy, tells CNN that he already has 500 people registered as citizens and 4,500 people waiting to obtain citizenship.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

The reality is that in Slowjamastan, at the moment, is nothing more than an arid and deserted wasteland,with  an improvised border control and a sign next to the road that reads 'Welcome to Slowjamastan'. According to CNN, Randy Williams assures that his micronation already has a passport, laws, a police force, even its own currency, "the duble."

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

As it could not be otherwise, with the nation's founder being a DJ, Slowjamastan also has his own anthem and it is played on special occasions. Per the CNN piece on the nation, "current prohibitions include “Crocs,” “mumble rap” and “people who put their feet on the dashboard.” All laws that should be universal.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

Although Molossia led him to take the final step, Randy Williams already had the idea of setting up his own republic after visiting countries like the Vatican or Monaco.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

In December 2021 when the Sultan wrote to Joe Biden and the UN, reporting the beginning of Slowjamastan's independence. To this day, there has still been no response. Despite everything, he broadcast the secession live from his office in Dubland, capital of Slowjamastan.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

Of course, in his letter to the president of the United States, he asked him not to send the army, since Slowjamastan is a pacifist micronation and in line with the United States, except in "taxes and laws," he told CNN.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

Although Randy Williams himself calls Slowjamastan an almost permanent dictatorship, being the sole leader and owner of the territory, he recognizes that sometimes "we hold referendums and electoral ceremonies." And what do they decide in these meetings? Among other things, they vote on "what should be our national fruit, our animal and our national sport," he says.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

Obviously, the official Borat-style dictator uniform is non-negotiable to take this project wherever Slowjamastan can go. At the moment, it also has its 'own' SST (Slowjamastan Standard Time) time zone.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

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In fact, in the short/medium term, the sultan's plans involve raising funds to build "a stream, an armadillo farm and a barbecue place," as he assured the aforementioned media. They don't seem like megalomaniacal plans for a micronation, but they have to start somewhere.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

But, of course, when the biggest tourist attraction it offers is taking selfies with the sultan, the sign at the entrance and looking for raccoons, it is clear that the project will be whatever the DJ wants it to be.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

Of course, to enter Slowjamastan you have to pass a border control, sign the official documentation and comply with current regulations. And if anyone is wondering, what happens if a citizen sneaks into Slowjamastan with crocs, we the Sultan will immediately expel them from the territory.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

But is there any problem with these kinds of initiatives? Certainly there is one: that many people take them seriously and get carried away.  Fortunately Randy Williams does make the concept of what Slowjamastan is clear, as many refugees contact him seeking asylum from real dangerous situations.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan

The Sultan told The Guardian: “I take that seriously. I don’t joke about someone trying to find a better opportunity,” Williams said. “So I have to be serious and tell them, ‘Look, this is more of a virtual experience than a physical one.’” Everyone draws their own conclusions and decides what they want to do regarding Slowjamastan.

Photo: Facebook Slowjamastan