ANTWAN WILLIAMS
Behind the brand
Born and raised in Richmond, VIrginia Antwan Williams has always embraced the hustle and grind mentality. In 2009 he birthed his company Route Runna Management. The vision for his company was to be a full service creative marketing and management company for local talent. Starting out it was a small team focused on A&R and promotions that streamlined their services throughout the southeast region. After a challenging four years growing his company Williams was hired at Def Jam Records as a street team representative, where he further grew his efforts to becoming a recognized master marketing manager and promoter. In 2015, he was promoted to Lifestyle Marketing at Def Jam Records and his company Route Runna Management was hired as the official college marketing group for the HBCU initiative. With his reach still expanding Williams started The MCAY Group, meaning “my contacts are yours', is a marketing and promotion group focused on opening doors and forming new relationships for its clients and a clothing line called “Fashion Route Clothing”.
SInce 2015, Williams has led his company in servicing the DMV, Central Virginia and North Carolina market as the Lifestyle Branding and College Marketer for Def Jam Recordings and Roc Nation. Williams is responsible for breaking artists like Trap Beckham and HBCU promotional campaigns for artists such as Rapsody, Jadakiss, Kanye West, Rihanna and several other music industry heavy hitters.
Inspired by Def Jam founders Rick Ruben and Russell Simmons and utilizing his platform, Williams has already begun to officially form HBCU organizations called “Route Runnas”, where its interns learn the ins and outs of creative and professional marketing, management and promotions for artists and events. With over 250 interns locked in, Williams is giving them the opportunity to grow in the entertainment and music industry while in college and learn the true meaning behind his mantra “Hustle. Ambition & Professionalism”.