The Devil might have worn Prada but Lil Nas X opted for limited edition ‘Satan Shoes’ for his latest single Montero (Call me by your name). Needless to say, this has ‘raised hell,’ quite literally. The hip-hop star has been stirring controversy by promoting his new sneakers in collaboration with MSCHF, which features Satanic imagery and a drop of human blood.
The shoes were made by modifying Nike’s Air Max 97s, infusing added elements like a pentagram pendant, pentagram designs on the heel and an inverted cross on the tongue pull-tab. The sole air bubble contains 60 cc ink and one drop of human blood, according to a statement from MSCHF. Only 666 pairs of shoes went for sale for $1,018, making a subtle reference to Luke 10:18, a Bible verse about Satan's fall from heaven. According to MSCHF, all of them were sold out in minutes.
MSCHF x Lil Nas X "Satan Shoes"
Nike Air Max '97
Contains 60cc ink and 1 drop of human blood
666 Pairs, individually numbered
$1,018
March 29th, 2021 pic.twitter.com/XUMA9TKGSX— SAINT (@saint) March 26, 2021
Footwear giant Nike denied any connections with the sneaks and has sued the Satan Shoemaker MSCHF over trademark infringement. "Nike filed a trademark infringement and dilution complaint against MSCHF today related to the Satan Shoes. We don’t have any further details to share on pending legal matters," the statement read. "However, we can tell you we do not have a relationship with Lil Nas X or MSCHF. The Satan Shoes were produced without Nike's approval or authorization, and Nike is in no way connected with this project." MSCHF CEO Gabe Whaley too, has made a statement to an associated press saying that Nike did not have any involvement whatsoever" in the project, according to online publication USA Today. MSCHF brought the shoes from Nike and modified them before putting out for sale, confirmed Whaley.
Nike finally launches a lawsuit against self proclaimed devil lil nas pic.twitter.com/GZcUjHRxrL
— King Franky (@Kingfranky177) March 30, 2021
Not just Nike seems like the netizens are also upset with Lil Nas X’s Satan Shoes. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem Tweeted, Our kids are being told that this kind of product is, not only okay, it's "exclusive." We are in a fight for the soul of our nation. We need to fight hard. We have to win.
Our kids are being told that this kind of product is, not only okay, it's "exclusive." But do you know what's more exclusive? Their God-given eternal soul.
We are in a fight for the soul of our nation. We need to fight hard. And we need to fight smart. We have to win. https://t.co/m1k1YWFpuo
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) March 28, 2021
Rapper Joyner Lucas also raised his concern about Lil Nas X’s shoes as well as his young fanbase as he is quite popular amongst the children.
Rapper Nick Young also condemned the song as well as the shoes and also cleared that she is in two minds about wearing Nike shoes ever.
My kids will never play Old Town road again.. I’m still debating about wearing @Nike after this come nike a drop of blood for real
— Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) March 28, 2021
However, Lil Nas came to the defense of his song, shoes and everything about it. Replying back to the above tweets, Nas said its not his job to spend his whole career catering to children. ‘u decided to let your child listen. blame yourself,’ he tweeted. Check out his other tweets below:
i literally sing about lean & adultery in old town road. u decided to let your child listen. blame yourself. https://t.co/gYmTi49BqB
— nope (@LilNasX) March 29, 2021
ur a whole governor and u on here tweeting about some damn shoes. do ur job! https://t.co/qaor6W0B9C
— nope (@LilNasX) March 28, 2021
me and satan on the way to nike headquarters pic.twitter.com/3OaQV6pu83
— nope (@LilNasX) March 30, 2021
me at nike headquarters tomorrow pic.twitter.com/iAAdjc8Ele
— nope (@LilNasX) March 29, 2021
They say fashion equals art. But creating symbolic Satan Shoes with a drop of blood without the prior permission of the shoe company seems like going too far with being artistic. What are your thoughts on this one?
(Source-Variety, USA Today, Twitter)
