Federal Judge Rules Lil Nas X “Satan Shoes” Discontinued

We didn’t cover this earlier in the week because we were too busy writing about whatever Corey Taylor was doing, as usual, but in case you missed it, rapper Lil Nas X — best known for his massive hit “Old Town Road” a couple of years back — stirred up quite the controversy with some satanic shoes he released to promote his new single, “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name).”

The shoes were brand new pairs of Nike Air Max ’97s spruced up by custom design house MSCHF to feature a pentagram, Lil Nas X branding, and a drop of real human blood in the air bubble color coating. Limited to 666 pairs selling for $1,018, they sold out in under a minute. The accompanying music video, which has garnered over 64 million views so far, also contained myriad satanic imagery. Conservative Christians lost their shit, decrying Lil Nas X — who is gay, for the double-whammy — and threatening to boycott Nike, even though the shoe company had nothing to do with the satanic Lil Nas X re-branding of its shoes.

Naturally, metalheads took quite an interest in the case, whatwith our never-ending fascination with satanism. Metalheads are no strangers to criticism from conservative Christians, of course.

Now a federal judge has stepped in to rule in favor of an injunction filed by Nike. The company claims its brand has suffered irreparable brand damage by the appropriation of its product. MSCHF argued that the Satan Shoes are “not typical sneakers, but rather individually-numbered works of art that were sold to collectors for $1,018 each.” Further, MSCHF pointed out that a recent run of Jesus Shoes they produced didn’t spark any concern from Nike at all. However, Nike lawyers — with a much larger pocketbook — submitted “numerous evidence that some consumers are saying they will never buy Nike shoes ever again,” and the judge agreed, ordering a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to be enforced despite the shoes long having since sold out. A more detailed written order will be issued soon, according to Hollywood Reporter.

You can watch the new Lil Nas X video and get a closer look at his Satan Shoes below.