Lil Nas X broke the internet on Friday after his video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” dropped, using what some see as religious imagery to describe a queer angel’s fall from heaven.
The star made waves again just days later after MSCHF announced a collaboration with the rapper for his “Satan Shoes,” which each contain a drop of human blood.
Culture and streetwear publication SAINT tweeted pictures and details about the shoes on March 26, saying each of the individually numbered 666 pairs of modified Nike Air Max ’97s sold will “contain 60cc ink and 1 drop of human blood.”
Each pair will sell for $1,018 as a nod to the Bible verse printed on the side of the shoes, Luke 10:18: “So He told them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.'”
Lil Nas X himself retweeted the promotion much to the surprise of fans. The collaboration received a mixed bag of emotions from fans and followers, with the Church of Satan even asking for a pair.
Many fans were shocked by the controversial decision to include human blood in the shoe, some saying they will boycott Lil Nas X over the decision. Most comments online simply expressed confusion over who or what’s blood will be in the shoe.
“Wait – serious question.. who’s blood is it and what is the significance or symbolism of the blood? Please help me and others understand!” one person tweeted.
MSCHF, the company Insider’s Paige Leskin previously reported is behind some of the internet’s most controversial novelty products, confirmed the shoes will include real drops of human blood from six members of the company’s team.
The controversy even elicited a response from South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who tweeted “our kids are being told that this kind of product is, not only okay, it’s ‘exclusive.’ But do you know what’s more exclusive? Their God-given eternal soul.”
“We are in a fight for the soul of our nation,” she continued. “We need to fight hard. And we need to fight smart. We have to win.”
Lil Nas X fired back by tweeting “ur a whole governor and u on here tweeting about some damn shoes. do ur job!”
After the controversy began trending on Twitter over the weekend, Lil Nas X posted a video of himself on YouTube titled “Lil Nas X Apologizes for Satan Shoe” on March 28.
“I see everybody’s been talking about this shoe, and I just want to come forward and say,” Lil Nas X said before the scene cuts to his singing “f— it, let’s ride” while giving Satan a lap dance in his “Montero” video.
Nike released a statement clarifying the collaboration has nothing to do with the brand.
“We do not have a relationship with Little Nas X or MSCHF,” Nike said in a statement. “Nike did not design or release these shoes and we do not endorse them.”
The public will be able to purchase a pair beginning March 29.