Apparently “The Devil Wears Prada,” and Nike. Rapper Lil Nas X has released “Satan Shoes,” which are modified Nike Air Max 97s, and Nike is not happy.
They are suing the shoe’s manufacturer, MSCHF, for copyright infringement. The company did not agree for their logo to be used on the shoe and want no part in the satanic panic caused by the controversial shoe.
“MSCHF and its unauthorized Satan Shoes are likely to cause confusion and dilution and create an erroneous association between MSCHF’s products and Nike,” wrote Nike in the lawsuit.
BREAKING: Nike is suing MSCHF over the @LilNasX "Satan Shoes" for copyright infringement and dilution. pic.twitter.com/lEL6DIVyOD
— SAINT (@saint) March 29, 2021
The devilish footwear is decorated with a gold inverted pentagram pendant, an inverted red cross, and the scripture title Luke 10:18 is written in red on the side of the shoe. Each shoe will be numbered and contain one drop of human blood in the sole.
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 31, 2021
“We love to sacrifice for our art,” said MSCHF Creative Director Kevin Wiesner.
He spoke to CNN and unveiled that the blood was obtained from a similar process as at-home glucose tests, so no satanic sacrifices took place.
MSCHF is known for their artistic shoes, on the flip side of this project, the company released “Jesus Shoes” Last year. Instead of human blood, however, they contained holy water from the Jordan River and were also recreated Nike Air Max 97 sneakers.
I just found the same company that’s making the Satan shoes by Lil Nas X also made those Jesus shoes with the water in them LMFAOO pic.twitter.com/AiyBudAeDM
— The 3rd Yaeger brother (@Joe_Typo_) March 27, 2021
666 pairs of the “Satan Shoes” were created, each retailed at $1,018, and sold out in less than a minute.
The shoes are a part of the hype for Lil Nas X’s latest music video for the song “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” where he can be seen being lured to hell and giving the Devil himself a lap dance.
The song is named after himself, Montero being the rapper’s real name. His inspiration for this was his struggle of self acceptance as a gay man. He penned a letter to his 14-year-old self where he speaks more on his journey.
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 26, 2021
The video has received an outrageous amount of backlash for its religious depictions, but the rapper has defended his artistic vision. The rapper feels Christianity’s teachings caused him to hate himself.
i spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the shit y’all preached would happen to me because i was gay. so i hope u are mad, stay mad, feel the same anger you teach us to have towards ourselves.
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 27, 2021
“i spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the shit y’all preached would happen to me because i was gay. so i hope u are mad, stay mad, feel the same anger you teach us to have towards ourselves,” wrote Lil Nas X.
In regards to the Nike lawsuit, the rapper seems unfazed and is finding humor in the situation.
me at nike headquarters tomorrow pic.twitter.com/iAAdjc8Ele
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 29, 2021
The “Old Town Road,” even released an apology video regarding the shoes, however, the video trolled viewers by cutting to a clip of the “MONTERO” music video as the rapper was about to apologize.
“MONTERO” is currently #1 on the US Spotify chart and the music video has over 57 million views on YouTube.