GREATEST: Nigel Sylvester
The BMX professional defines what it truly means to be a new age athlete.
Nigel Sylvester’s calling as a BMX biker manifested itself during his pubescence. The Queens native, who just released his own Air Jordan 1 signature shoe in September, was strolling through his neighborhood when he came across one of Manhattan’s first skateparks on Riverside Drive. It was at that moment he’d turn his fascination into an obsession, going up against the odds, especially as the kid who was told he couldn’t steer—as a black kid—in a predominantly white man’s lane. Once he turned 17, his life became something out of a coming-of-age film: The late BMX-legend, Dave Mirra, took the up-and-comer under his wing, putting him in the Flipside documentary and signing him on as a pro-rider. Now, Sylvester is that dude: He’s been across the globe, secured deals with coveted brands, and even gotten a shoutout from Jay-Z, all before reaching the age of 30. Nigel Sylvester has the keys, and he’s opening doors.
This has been a big year for you. It feels like there’s been a lot of manifestation for you in 2018.
You’re completely right; it’s been unbelievable and even surreal at times. So many things that I put into play over the past couple years are now starting to blossom. I’m in an incredible space and extremely happy.
What’s been a highlight, an “ultra” moment in your career?
Wow, good question. When I look at it as a whole, there is no blueprint for what I’m doing. Timing has definitely played a huge role. When I became professional, social media was growing so rapidly. Having that tool to share my story, create content and control my output—that’s been instrumental in connecting and building my audience. People are getting my message, and that’s a powerful thing. I’ve been able to create the content I want to create and partner with the brand partners I want. I have the resources to bring my ideas to life and manifest big ideas. It’s truly incredible.
Were you an early adopter to social media, being a millennial yourself?
I was on Myspace when it came about. That was my first interaction with social media. I had a page, I had friends in my Top 8, I had music on my page. As more platforms began to roll out, I was using them to connect and share. So yeah, I’d definitely consider myself an early adopter of social media.
Was social media more personal for you or were you always brand-focused?
It was a mixture. In the early stages, it was personal, but I consider myself a brand. If I’m putting photos of me riding out there, I’m putting my personal brand out there as well.
I saw that you did a really cool simulation project where people can feel like they’re you when you travel. Talk about that.
Yeah, so I do a video series called Go. I was trying to figure out how to convey to my audience the way it feels when I ride my bicycle and travel, that feeling I get when I’m out doing my thing. That’s how the idea sparked. So I created this video format, and my director, Harrison Boyce, filmed the entire thing in New York City. Without any expectations, we put it on YouTube and used social media to share it. People gravitated toward the content and embraced it all around the world. That series evolved into the idea of riding my bicycle around the globe from a first person point of view. We shoot each video as a continuation of the previous one, so when we’re done with the entire series, you’re able to watch me ride my bicycle around the world. We’ve done a New York episode, L.A., Tokyo, Dubai and one that includes two big cities: a ride from London to Paris. I was really excited about that one. In general, I’m always looking to figure out what new advances in technology I can use to create better content or what I can do to tell a more compelling story.
So if you were approached by GoPro to go to, say, a jungle in Africa, would you?
I love traveling, so as long as it makes sense holistically, I would do it. I’m inspired by and building my brand on art, sports, music, travel and technology. Those are the lenses I look through when I’m creating. I’m not necessarily looking at mainstream aspects of my sport, I’m more interested in telling stories and making films. That’s what drives me. I’m the kind of person who moves off my heart. I’m very passionate, and my heart has to be in it if I’m going to create something great.
Do you consider yourself more of an artist than an athlete?
I’m an athlete and artist. I believe what I’m creating right now is a junction of sport and art. It’s a new age athlete. Yes, I’m athletic, and I push my body every single day, but I’m also looking to create projects and work with ideas that aren’t from my athletic side.
New age athlete? I’ve never heard that before. Did you coin that term?
I coined it right now!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I still want to be riding my bicycle, creating, building brands and forming businesses. At the end of the day, I’ll be happy if I can live out my imagination and tell stories. As I gather more information and evolve as a person, as an athlete, as an artist, I want to continue to push the bar.
I’m curious whether you’ve thought about doing some type of project to raise awareness, like a bike marathon.
I’m doing that right now, actually. I’ve been doing that for a few years with an organization called CYCLE Kids. Their main objective is to put bicycles in the hands of kids who can’t afford them and educate kids on cycle culture. That fulfills me. The bicycle has changed my life completely. It’s allowed me to see the world and accomplish so many amazing things. Being able to share that tool with kids is a great feeling.
I have a DIY attitude, meaning I make my own rules. I try to live that as much as I can, while still doing the right thing.
Where do you fit into both cycle culture and a wider view of culture right now?
I represent possibility. I represent breaking the mold. I’m a true example of believing in yourself. I’ve been able to use the bicycle to share my story, push myself and push those around me—to challenge what people thought the bicycle could do. It’s beyond the sport. I look at it from an entrepreneur standpoint, business standpoint and cultural standpoint.
That’s very interesting. You’re from Laurelton, Queens. I heard that, as a kid, people told you black kids don’t go pro. Is that true?
Yeah. Growing up in a predominantly black area, the idea was that only white kids rode BMX bikes. When you watched T.V., you’d only see white kids doing crazy tricks and stuff like that. So the people around me were just projecting the information they received.
Do you feel like what you’re doing is a political statement because you’re black?
What I do is a statement, period. [Laughs] Not a political statement, but a statement in itself. I hope it sets an example for other people who have an unorthodox dream.
In terms of having to deal with stereotypes and stigmas as a black athlete, I saw that you recently tweeted, “I can’t hear the haters from all the way up here.” Are they still coming in thick?
[Laughs] Any time someone is making headway in their sport and receiving accolades, you’ll see people disagreeing with them. Especially with the sport I do and how I go about it, people voice their opinions and oppositions. You mind them a little bit.
Your success has brought you to so many different places around the world. Does that sometimes isolate you from your local community because your worldview has changed or because you’ve changed?
At the core, I’m still the same exact person. When I’m able to travel the world or seek new information or learn about new cultures, I bring that back and share it with my community. I’ve been fortunate to experience those things. The best I can do is share them with my friends and family.
Let’s talk about the 218 Capucine art project that you did with Louis Vuitton, creating a Louis Vuitton bike. Why did you name it 218 Capucine, and what was exciting to you about working with the classic Louis Vuitton print?
I’m a fan of the Louis Vuitton brand. Prior to choosing that print, I researched Louis Vuitton’s personal history—the things he had to go through to become who he is and build that brand. It really touched me. In terms of the name, 218 was the street I grew up riding my bike on, and Capucine is the first street Louis Vuitton had his workshop on. I combined those because I was inspired by his backstory. Before him, trunks were rounded. He revolutionized travel by creating rectangular trunks that stacked better on boats. The innovation really moved and inspired me.
It’s such a coincidence Virgil [Abloh] is the head designer at Louis Vuitton.
It’s amazing. He’s another example of breaking the mold. Prior to him, no one like him was able to get to that level. Times have changed. People are coming up with new ideas and figuring out ways to achieve new things, to get their dreams accomplished and see their goals met. It motivates me to work even harder and reach further. My train of thought is to continue to dream-chase, work extremely hard and take what I believe to the furthest place I can.
Tell me a few things you wish people had told you before you became a professional.
No one told me that certain people would change or about dealing with all the personalities. It wasn’t a real shock, but it was definitely something I had to adjust to in my life. That said, my circle has always been tight-knit. I’m super into my family and friends. I grew up keeping good people around me.
The behavior of professional athletes can be scrutinized pretty harshly. You’re not conventional, as you said—do you fall under those same rules?
I have a DIY attitude, meaning I make my own rules. I try to live that as much as I can, while still doing the right thing. At the end of the day, I want to make sure I’m doing things that are good.
If you had to put your bike down right now, would you feel content with what you’ve accomplished so far?
I don’t even like to think about putting my bike down. It’s with me all the time, and I think about it all the time. It’s the main tool I use to create and do what I love.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH SIDER AND INTERVIEW BY SAFRA DUCREAY