Eighteen months ago, Brooklyn-based art collective MSCHF released a series of modified Nike Air Max sneakers dubbed ‘Jesus Shoes’ that had holy water from the River Jordan injected into the soles.
Now MSCHF has released a new limited edition of Nike Air Maxes in collaboration with rapper and singer Lil Nas X called ‘Satan Shoes’, which this time have drops of human blood in the soles and a bronze pentagram adorning the laces, and now Nike is issuing a lawsuit against them, according to NBC News.
The sneakers were released to coincide with the release of the music video for Lil Nas X’s new song, ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’, which shows a wildly lascivious journey through hell in which the rapper gives a lap dance to the devil.
Priced at $1,018 a pair, and limited to 666 editions, of course, they were all snapped up within a minute.
However, Nike is not happy with the release, and now MSCHF is facing a trademark infringement lawsuit from Nike over the project.
The complaint, which was filed on Monday 29 March in a New York district court, reads: “As an innovative brand that strives to push the envelope and do the right thing, Nike knows it may not please everyone all of the time, but decisions about what products to put the ‘swoosh’ on belongs to Nike, not to third parties like MSCHF.”
The filing urges the court to put a halt to the sale of all unauthorised Satan Shoes, and order MSCHF to deliver any remaining shoes to Nike for destruction. Representatives for the global brand told the New York Times: “We do not have a relationship with Little Nas X or MSCHF. Nike did not design or release these shoes, and we do not endorse them.”
The blood in the sneakers was donated by six members of NSCHF, which was mixed with red ink before being injected into the shoes. Embroidered on each pair is the edition number and the words “Luke 10:18”—a passage from the bible that reads “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
In his new music video, Lil Nas X recreates the scene by descending into hell via a stripper pole, and it has been viewed nearly 55 million times since its release on Friday 26 March.
The rapper was quick to hit back in response to the claims from Nike and criticism from the public online who took issue with the theme of the sneakers. Lil Nas X released a fake apology video on YouTube where he starts to address the controversy before the video abruptly cuts to the lap dancing scene from the music video.
The ‘apology’ has been viewed over five million times.
MSCHF, a group of artists and designers who once cut up a Damien Hirst painting and sold off the parts, is no stranger to controversy. Since its founding in 2016, the collective has cultivated a brand known for its distinct blend of quasi-conceptual designs and edgelord attention tactics.
If you’re looking for Nike men's trainers in the UK, visit our website today. Religious iconography or blood not included!
Now MSCHF has released a new limited edition of Nike Air Maxes in collaboration with rapper and singer Lil Nas X called ‘Satan Shoes’, which this time have drops of human blood in the soles and a bronze pentagram adorning the laces, and now Nike is issuing a lawsuit against them, according to NBC News.
The sneakers were released to coincide with the release of the music video for Lil Nas X’s new song, ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’, which shows a wildly lascivious journey through hell in which the rapper gives a lap dance to the devil.
Priced at $1,018 a pair, and limited to 666 editions, of course, they were all snapped up within a minute.
However, Nike is not happy with the release, and now MSCHF is facing a trademark infringement lawsuit from Nike over the project.
The complaint, which was filed on Monday 29 March in a New York district court, reads: “As an innovative brand that strives to push the envelope and do the right thing, Nike knows it may not please everyone all of the time, but decisions about what products to put the ‘swoosh’ on belongs to Nike, not to third parties like MSCHF.”
The filing urges the court to put a halt to the sale of all unauthorised Satan Shoes, and order MSCHF to deliver any remaining shoes to Nike for destruction. Representatives for the global brand told the New York Times: “We do not have a relationship with Little Nas X or MSCHF. Nike did not design or release these shoes, and we do not endorse them.”
The blood in the sneakers was donated by six members of NSCHF, which was mixed with red ink before being injected into the shoes. Embroidered on each pair is the edition number and the words “Luke 10:18”—a passage from the bible that reads “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
In his new music video, Lil Nas X recreates the scene by descending into hell via a stripper pole, and it has been viewed nearly 55 million times since its release on Friday 26 March.
The rapper was quick to hit back in response to the claims from Nike and criticism from the public online who took issue with the theme of the sneakers. Lil Nas X released a fake apology video on YouTube where he starts to address the controversy before the video abruptly cuts to the lap dancing scene from the music video.
The ‘apology’ has been viewed over five million times.
MSCHF, a group of artists and designers who once cut up a Damien Hirst painting and sold off the parts, is no stranger to controversy. Since its founding in 2016, the collective has cultivated a brand known for its distinct blend of quasi-conceptual designs and edgelord attention tactics.
If you’re looking for Nike men's trainers in the UK, visit our website today. Religious iconography or blood not included!
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