Ronald "Slim" Williams facts for kids

Ronald Jay "Slim" Williams was born on November 11, 1964. He is an American businessman and music executive. In 1991, he helped start the record label Cash Money Records with his younger brother, Bryan "Birdman" Williams. Ronald "Slim" Williams has been a main producer for most of the label's big music releases since 1997. Unlike his brother, he is not known for performing or making music himself.

Growing Up in New Orleans

Ronald Jay Williams was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father, Johnnie Williams, owned several businesses. Even though his father was busy, he made sure Ronald and his siblings had what they needed. Ronald spent his early years living in a small home above his mother Gladys' bar. One time, a dangerous event happened at the bar where his father was injured.

Ronald's mother, Gladys Brooks, sadly passed away in 1975 when he was only 10 years old. Because his father had not signed his birth certificate, Ronald and his brothers and sisters were cared for by the state for two years. Later, his father won custody of the children. They moved to his family home with his wife's children. Ronald grew up with many brothers and sisters, 10 brothers and 12 sisters in total! He spent his free time riding minibikes, skating, and playing basketball. People who knew him said he was "quiet" but "always thinking." This shows how he became the thoughtful person we see today, working behind the scenes.

How New Orleans Shaped His Career

Business Lessons from His Dad

Ronald "Slim" Williams learned a lot from his father, Johnnie Williams. His father owned many businesses and worked very hard. This taught Ronald to be independent and have a strong business mind from a young age. He learned the value of hard work and how to manage different projects.

Music and Culture in New Orleans

New Orleans has a very rich history of music and culture. This special environment greatly influenced Ronald Williams. The city's unique identity directly affects its music. Growing up there helped shape his personal life and his career in music. His record label, Cash Money Records, helped make "bounce music" popular across the United States. This shows how his local roots and culture guided his choices in music, management, and production.

Beyond Music: Other Businesses

Exploring the Oil Industry

In 2010, Ronald Williams and his brother started an oil exploration business called "Bronald Oil." Their goal was to find and develop oil in the United States and Central America. The company has had different levels of activity since it began. The company faced some challenges and changes in its early years. However, it was re-registered and started operating again in 2013.

Books and Films: Cash Money Content

Cash Money Content was created in 2010. It is another part of the Cash Money Records brand. With this new company, Ronald and his brother started a book publishing business and a film production group. The book part of the business worked with Simon & Schuster's Atria Books. Ronald Williams has also used Cash Money Content to help the community. In 2014, he supported an online campaign to encourage reading. He said, "Reading is an important step in the right direction toward making a difference in our community."

Giving Back to the Community

Ronald Williams has always cared about helping his community. Since the late 1990s, he and his brother have hosted a special Thanksgiving event. At these events, they give away over 2,000 Thanksgiving turkeys for free. People can also get free health check-ups at these events.

In 2009, the Williams brothers were featured in a TV show called Newbos: The Rise of America's New Black Overclass. This show looked at several successful Black millionaires. Ronald Williams also appeared in Lil Wayne's Behind the Music episode in 2009.

See also

In Spanish: Ronald "Slim" Williams para niños