Lil Nas X will release a controversial pair of Satan Shoes that features a bronze pentagram, an inverted cross, and a drop of real human blood.
The Satan sneakers are a part of a collaboration between the rapper and New York-based art collective MSCHF. The pair were made using Nike Air Max 97s, though Nike clarified that they are not involved in creating it.
“We do not have a relationship with Lil Nas or MSCHF,” the company said in a statement. “Nike did not design or release these shoes and we do not endorse them.”
According to MSCHF, the Satan shoes are limited edition. In each pair, the air bubble sole contains 2.03 fluid ounces of red ink, and a drop of real human blood and is priced at $1,018 per pair.
MSCHF told CNN that the blood is provided by the members of the art collective.
“We love to sacrifice for our art,” the group told CNN. They also confirmed that Nike was “not involved in this in any capacity.”
Over the weekend, the Satan shoes sparked outrage online. Attracting criticism from a number of high-profile political and religious figures in particular, including South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and the evangelical pastor Mark Burns.
Pastor Burns described the sneakers as “evil” and “heresy” in a tweet.
While others criticized the rapper for launching such controversial shoes, some fans tweeted their support and desire to have a pair.
In response to the controversies, Lil Nas X posted a video to his official YouTube channel titled “Lil Nas X Apologizes for Satan Shoe.”
However, after a few seconds, the apology video transitioned to a scene from his new music video, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” and showed LilNasX dancing provocatively with a devil character.
Still in the video, the rapper is seen snapping the devil’s neck, before removing his horned crown and wearing it himself.
The MSCHF art collective is known for its cheeky projects. In 2019, the group released a limited edition “Jesus Shoes” (also made from Nike Air Max 97 sneakers) that featured a steel crucifix and “holy water” from the Jordan River.