Lil Nas X Satan Shoes will be recalled as part of settlement with Nike

Nike said on Thursday it has settled its lawsuit against the Brooklyn company that collaborated with Lil Nas X to produce his Satan Shoes, and that the shoes will be recalled.

The settlement with MSCHF Product

Studio resolves a trademark infringement lawsuit that Nike filed last week over the black-and-red, devilthemed sneakers, which carry the Nike “swoosh” logo and cost $1,018 a pair.

MSCHF’s shoes are customized versions of the Nike Air Max 97 sneakers, with midsoles purporting to contain one drop of human blood.

They are also printed with Luke 10:18, a biblical passage referring to Satan’s descent from heaven. Only 666 pairs were made.

Nike said MSCHF agreed to buy back any Satan Shoes and Jesus Shoes, which were launched in 2019 and also based on the Air Max 97, for their original retail prices, “in order to remove them from circulation”.

Controversy has followed the footwear ever since its release last month. Nike immediately sued MSCHF after the shoes were brought out as a tie-in with the rapper’s latest song and video, Montero (Call Me By Your Name). A judge subsequently blocked the shoes from being shipped to customers.

Lawyers for MSCHF were not immediately available for comment. MSCHF has previously defended its shoes as a work of art. Lil Nas X has also criticised the move by Nike, saying on Twitter: “I feel like it’s fucked up they have so much power they can get shoes cancelled. Freedom of expression gone out the window.”