Brian Lee Williams

On August 15, 2020, a wonderful man, son, brother, husband, father, uncle, friend and faithful servant of Christ, received his heavenly crown and departed this world on a one way ticket to paradise. We gather here today in celebration of the life of  Brian Lee Williams aka “Slick Rick”. Brian was born on August 16, 1967 in Prince George’s County, MD to Hosea Lee Williams, Sr. and the late Peggy Ann Williams. He graduated from High Point High School in 1985. On February 21, 1993, he entered the sacred covenant of marriage with Nolita Newton. He went to ITT Business School and pursued his life in property management and engineering for many years with Bozzuto Group and Greystar Management. While in high school he became passionate about music. During his music journey, he became one of the creators of a Go-Go band called Central Groove, whose song “Special How Ya Do” hit Billboards in 1985. Rick was a legend in the Go-Go community.

Rick later joined a band called Hot Cold Sweat. He was fortunate to have graced the stage with the legendary Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown and he was also a part of the world renowned Crossover Band, one of the first Go-Go bands to travel the world abroad. Rick was also a financial contributor for DC’s first ever Go-Go Museum. In 2004, he established a company called Platinum Plus Entertainment and started DJing. He DJ’d several events for the late B. Smith and DJ’d for Kevin Durant mother, Wanda Durant’s 50th birthday party. He DJ’d for several Congressional Black Caucus Foundation annual legislative conferences. Rick received multiple awards and accolades for his work in the community from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Beat the Streets program. Rick also played a pivotal role with Gap Busters, a non-profit organization where the newly implemented Sweat Band Studios was established to mentor the youth, and was used as a rehearsal home for his current band family, The Sweat Band. Rick was an advocator of change in the Go-Go community, and will truly be missed.

In 2015, both Rick and sister Juan started an AAU organization Hoop Life Warriors. Rick coached and mentored kids throughout the DMV area.

Rick lit up the room with his infectious smile, energy, charisma and humor. He loved spending time with the people who brought him joy, his family and friends. If Rick loved you, you definitely felt it. You could come to Rick and engage in discussions about any topics. People loved Rick. He was the epitome of strength. Rick never judged anyone. He was the life of the party and would do anything for you. Rick was devoted to his nephews and daughters. He loved being a girl Dad.

Rick was preceded in death by his mother Peggy Ann Williams and leaves to cherish the memories are his father, Hosea Lee Williams, Sr.; his wife Nolita Newton-Williams; mother-in-law Virginia Newton; children, Brianna-Newton Williams, Brenare Williams and Brittany Williams; one granddaughter, Nolani Newton-Williams; four siblings, Juan Williams, Lacreta Williams, Hosea Williams, Jr. and Danny Roberts; three nephews, Jordan Cobb, Julius Cobb, and Hosea Williams III; three nieces, Kennedi Williams, Danielle Roberts and Danesha Roberts; two sister-in-law’s, Nicole Williams and Veronica Roberts; one brother-in-law Clinton Jordan, and a host of loving relatives and friends and the rich blessings of a dedicated friend/brother Ricky Brown, aka Rock Steady.

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