Lil Nas X’s blood-filled ‘Satan shoes’ to be recalled after Nike lawsuit
Lil Nas X holding one of his Satan-themed shoes. (Twitter)
The ‘Satan shoes’ containing a drop of real human blood released by Lil Nas X are facing a product recall after a successful Nike lawsuit.
The rapper and singer released the customised Nike shoes in conjunction with New York art collective MSCHF shortly after he gave Satan a lap dance in the music video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”.
Nike said the customised Air Max 97’s were designed without the sportswear giant’s permission when they were released last month.
The modified Nike Air Max 97s are filled with red ink and a single drop of human blood, and come with a gold pentagram, a symbol of an inverted cross, and an engraving of Luke 10:18 on the side, referring to a passage from the Bible that reads: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
Nike was quick to distance itself from the shoes, telling CNN that it had not been involved in creating the shoes and that it has no relationship with either the Lil Nas X or MSCHF.
“Nike did not design or release these shoes and we do not endorse them,” Nike said. On 1 April, Nike was granted a temporary restraining order preventing the shoes being sold.
BREAKING: Nike was granted a temporary restraining order, stopping MSCHF from fulfilling any orders of their Lil Nas X "Satan Shoes." pic.twitter.com/h3Xzxd7irA
— SAINT (@saint) April 1, 2021
Nike has now filed a successful trademark infringement lawsuit against MSCHF Product Studio, who sold the footwear, and a product recall is included as part of the settlement.
This means that everyone who bought a pair of the ‘Satan shoes’ will be refunded in order “to remove them from circulation”.
Just 666 pairs were made, with each selling for $1,018 (£741) a pair.
David Bernstein, a lawyer representing MSCHF in the lawsuit, said the artistic intent of the shoes was “dramatically amplified” by Nike’s lawsuit.
He said: “MSCHF intended to comment on the absurdity of the collaboration culture practiced by some brands, and about the perniciousness of intolerance.
“Having achieved its artistic purpose, MSCHF is pleased to have resolved the lawsuit.”
Lil Nas X implored fans to keep streaming “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” so he could afford to “pay for this damn Nike lawsuit”.
y’all keep streaming call me by your name so i can pay for this damn nike lawsuit ?— nope ? (@LilNasX) April 9, 2021
