Nike have recently released their Air Jordan IV Lucid Green ‘Rasta’ silhouette, paying tribute to the 2020 Jamaica Carnival. This Jamaican tradition began in Trinidad during 1785. As French settlers arrived in Trinidad, they held fancy balls as part of their own heritage entertainment. During these times, slaves were not allowed to participate in such activities. As a result of their exclusion, the slaves began to make their own celebratory entertainment, where they would host carnivals in their own backyards. The carnivals developed into a way that the slaves could freely express themselves and honour their own cultural traditions. Today, carnival is celebrated in many Caribbean islands including Jamaica, and has even developed in European countries including England, with London’s ever-famous Notting Hill Carnival.

As the 2020 carnival celebrations have unfortunately been postponed due to the current pandemic, Nike have created a silhouette which is designed to represent the joy and unity which carnival brings to so many communities in these dark and unpredictable times.

The vivid silhouette features a white, tumbled leather upper which contrasts against a Rasta toned plastic mesh underlay in traditional red, green and yellow colours. Green accents which feature in the lining of the tongue and on the rubber sole of the shoe create a more distinct style, which is complimented by the mottled grey rubber which crafts the midsole. The design is finished with black lining, black laces which contrast against the crisp white upper, and black Air Jordan branding with a rubberized silhouette which sits upon the back of the heel.