Here's Why Nike Are Suing MSCHF Over Lil Nas X's 'Satan Shoes'

The shoes were released in collaboration with his latest music video.

On Friday, American rapper, singer and songwriter Lil Nas X—famous for “Old Town Road”—released his new music video for “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" and boy did the internet have a lot to say about it.

Along with the music video, Lil Nas X released a pair of sneakers dubbed ‘Nike Satan Shoes’, which might give you an idea about how they’re themed. 

But before we delve into the shoes, let's give you the tea on the music vid, ‘cos that's important.

Why is the music video so controversial?

To break it down, in the music video Lil Nas X is pictured literally descending into hell via a giant stripper pole. The whole thing ends with him giving Satan a raunchy lap dance before ultimately killing him and taking on his role as the Devil.

You can watch the CGI masterpiece here.

Basically, the music video and his Satan Shoes heavily reference both Christian and anti-Christian imagery, with the music video detailing Lil Nas X's experience growing up as a queer man. 

In fact, the rapper wrote an open letter to his younger self following the release of his video, explaining how he hopes that the video will “open doors for many other queer people to simply exist.”

“You see this is very scary for me, people will be angry, they will say I’m pushing an agenda,” he wrote in on Twitter

pic.twitter.com/F8EE7pGVS8

— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 26, 2021

As you could expect, many people in Christian communities—particularly in the US—were not happy about the video, mostly because of a large proportion of Lil Nas X’s audience being young people.

However, Lil Nas X has clapped back multiple times, defending that it isn’t his job to censor himself in case younger audiences listen in, and that the music video only depicts him doing exactly what he’s been told to do his entire life: go to hell.

Since coming out in 2019, the rapper has experieced both support and backlash from his fans, and this latest music video certainly sends a bold message. 

Okay so, what’s the drama with the shoes?

To go along with the release of Lil Nas X’s new music video, the rapper decided to collaborate with customs company MSCHF to design and release a range of hell-themed Nike Air Max sneakers. They're priced at an eye-watering $US1,018.

These aren't just any pair of shoes though. In fact, they reportedly contain a drop of actual human blood inside the sole and feature a pentagram on the laces, as well as a passage from the book of Luke in the Bible that references: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”

Image: MSCHF

MSCHF only decided to make—you guessed it—666 pairs of the ultra-rare shoes, which just added even more drama to these spicy kicks.

Despite the hefty price tag, the shoes sold out in under a minute, so I guess some people were keen.

JUST IN: All 666 of Lil Nas X’s limited edition Satan shoes sold out in under a minute pic.twitter.com/PJv00vjaR5

— XXL Magazine (@XXL) March 29, 2021

So, why is Nike suing MSCHF over the shoes? Well, the main issue is that Nike aren’t a fan of the shoes, and never actually gave MSCHF permission to make them in the first place.

Instead, MSCHF are simply buying up a tonne of Nike Air Max sneakers, customising them and re-selling them without permission.

As reported by Billboard, Nike have publicly responded to the shoes, claiming that they’re feeling the fallout of the controversy.

“There is already evidence of significant confusion and dilution occurring in the marketplace, including calls to boycott Nike in response to the launch of MSCHF’s Satan Shoes based on the mistaken belief that Nike has authorised or approved this product,” Nike told Billboard.

So, now Nike are suing MSCHF for trademark infringement, dilution and unfair competition.

Interestingly, back in 2019 the customising company released a ‘holy’ version of the same shoes. Except, they were white and complete with a crucifix and holy water, and Nike didn't do anything about it.

Image: MSCHF.

What's Lil Nas X's reaction to this? Well, it appears he's being pretty chill and low-key about the whole situation. 

me after the nike lawsuit pic.twitter.com/XVLjHlSrru

— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 29, 2021

Header Image: MSCHF