Ride, Create, Elevate: THE HISTORY OF Nigel Sylvester x Jordan Brand
Long before life as I know it today—before the responsibilities of work and fatherhood—I spent my days (and evenings) glued to one of two things: my Alien Workshop skateboard or Tony Hawk's Pro Skater on the PS1. I could flex on THPS, but wasn’t the most talented on a skateboard. That didn’t matter, though. Skateboarding, much like BMX, is a space for rule-breakers and misfits—those who find comfort in the adrenaline rush and don’t fit the traditional “mold” (whatever that even means), but take pride in it. It’s a community where, no matter how many times you fall, there is always someone encouraging you to pick yourself up and push again. While I don’t know Nigel Sylvester personally, I imagine his rise was shaped by that same spirit—surrounded by a group of real ones who understand what it means to be an outsider and embrace it. It’s these misfits who keep you humble and make sure that, no matter what journey you take in life, you stay true to where you came from and who you are.
Nigel grew up in Jamaica, Queens—a melting pot of cultures and one of the areas of New York City I’ve had the privilege of visiting a handful of times in my adult life. Raised by his hardworking, dedicated parents, Nigel found his path early on, guided by strong family values. It was through his cousins that he was introduced to BMX culture, a passion that would shape his life from that moment forward. Jumping on the BMX at just 12 years old, he was cutting his teeth at local skate parks, pushing his limits and learning the craft.
At 17, he met BMX legend Dave Mirra, a defining moment that marked the beginning of his professional career. This connection would go on to pave the way for Nigel to turn pro and eventually become one of the first global black superstars in BMX. His dedication, work ethic, and perseverance saw him achieve heights many only dream of, earning him the respect of his peers and a place in the sport’s history.
Nike 6.0 x Nigel Sylvester - Mavrk (2009)
Nigel’s grind and relentless effort eventually caught the attention of Nike long before his work with Jordan Brand. In fact, he joined Nike as an athlete under their Nike 6.0 line, which was envisioned to be the BMX equivalent of Nike SB when it launched back in 2005. The 6.0 line was a bold move to bring BMX culture into the fold of Nike’s expansive portfolio, and Nigel was one of the standout athletes involved. The line was discontinued in 2011, but during its run, Nigel collaborated with 6.0 on his first release: the Nike 6.0 Mavrk in a purple, gold, and black colourway.
Following the shutdown of Nike 6.0 in 2011, Nigel went on to collaborate once again with Nike, this time with Nike’s SB line in 2014. The Dunk High 'S.O.M.P' (Standing on My Pedals) was the product of a collaboration with the legendary DJ Clark Kent. This release was a nod to Nigel's BMX roots, but it also featured design elements inspired by Tinker Hatfield’s design philosophy. With its bold colourway and references to Hatfield’s groundbreaking work on Nike’s most iconic models, the S.O.M.P Dunk became an instant classic. It was a perfect blend of Nigel’s BMX background and Nike SB's skateboarding influence, showcasing the versatility of BMX culture and its seamless connection with sneaker culture. The Dunk High 'S.O.M.P' proved that Nigel had firmly established himself as a true icon within both the BMX world and the sneaker community.
Fast forward four years, and we witness what is arguably the most coveted release from Nigel Sylvester to date—his first collaboration with Jordan Brand on the iconic Jordan 1 High silhouette. The drop became an instant classic, with Nike hosting a surprise pop-up at Kith Soho to mark the occasion. The event saw hundreds of people lining up for the chance to not only purchase the highly anticipated sneakers, but also meet Nigel himself, who was present at the pop-up. This intimate interaction with fans became a hallmark of Nigel’s collaboration strategy, creating a deeper connection between him, the community, and his growing fanbase. The Jordan 1 High 'Nigel Sylvester' would go on to become a standout moment in sneaker history, perfectly blending his BMX background, the unmistakable influence of Jordan Brand, and his natural connection to street culture.
There would be further releases in 2018 with the Nike Air Force 1 iD and the Jordan 1 'Noise Canceling Pack,' followed by a brief hiatus before the 'Friends & Family' version of his initial Jordan 1 release dropped in 2022. However, one of my personal favourites came the year after with his collaboration on the Nike Air Ship. The Air Ship is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated models from Nike—something of a hidden gem. It carries that 'IYKYK' vibe, especially compared to something as mainstream as the Jordan 1. While the Air Ship might not get the same widespread attention, it definitely stands out in terms of craftsmanship and design. I'd highly recommend not only checking out Nigel's Air Ship collaboration but also exploring work from other collaborators like Awake NY and James Whitner's A Ma Maniére, who have also contributed to the legacy of this underappreciated silhouette.
Fast forward to 2024, and we get Nigel's collaboration on the debut release of the Jordan 4 RM, a low-cut version in forest green dubbed ‘Grandma’s Driveway.’ Beyond the incredible storytelling behind the release, it’s evident that Nigel was given a considerable amount of creative freedom. One key detail that stands out is his ability to amend ‘Nike Air’ to ‘Bike Air’ on the heel tab—an element that showcases the trust and creative control Jordan Brand allowed him. This is particularly significant, as Jordan Brand is known for being protective of certain elements of their design, making this modification a rare and noteworthy gesture in the realm of sneaker collaborations.
The release was accompanied by what I can only describe as a world tour, with pop-up events that ranged from giveaways of free merch to full-blown city bike rides. Hundreds of BMX riders took to the streets of major cities like New York and London, celebrating not just the release, but the culture of BMX itself. It was a true testament to Nigel’s roots and how deeply intertwined his journey with Jordan Brand is with the BMX community. The energy and excitement surrounding these events highlighted the significance of the collaboration—showcasing the bond between sneaker culture, BMX, and the people who live and breathe it.
Photos courtesy of BSTN
The ‘Grandma’s Driveway’ release truly showcased Nigel’s ability as a storyteller, and this was further complemented by the ‘Driveway Gray’ version that followed shortly after. However, 2025 marked the year that we saw his long-term collaboration with Jordan Brand elevate to the next level with the release of the Jordan 4 ‘Brick By Brick’. This is a beautifully designed sneaker, with a colourway that sits somewhere between orange and red, evoking the images of red bricks seen throughout the city of New York whilst also shouting out to the way Nigel built his story, Brick By Brick!
Nigel and Jordan Brand went all out on this release, adopting the same pop-up formula that had proven so successful in previous years, but this time on a much larger scale. A full-blown brick truck rolled up to random locations, where free merch was thrown out to the crowds who had gathered in anticipation. The release was also packaged in a brick-shaped box, adding a personal and tactile element to the drop. Accompanied by some of the best video content we've seen—arguably rivaling even the Bred 85 campaign from just a few weeks ago—it was a release designed to make a statement.
It’s abundantly clear that Nigel’s BMX journey is monumental, but his sneaker collaboration journey is just as special—at least to us, who may be a little bit biased. We take our hats off to you every time, Nigel and cannot wait to see what the future of this partnership with Jumpman has in store…but don’t get too comfortable, we’d still flex on you at THPS 😉