Lil Nas X, best known for his 2019 viral song “Old Town Road” featuring country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, recently released a new song and video titled “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” His new video has sparked an outrage from people and many are denouncing their support of his music.
Young fans praised “X” for his artistic vision, while others criticized the video for its religious imagery, depiction of the devil and sexual undertones. Since its release on Friday the video has racked up a t39 million and counting views as many people watch to find out what the hype is all about.
The video begins with X sitting in what is designed as an Alice in Wonderland themed Garden of Eden playing his guitar alongside a tree. He is approach by a snake that whispers sweet nothings in his ear. Subdued by the powers of the wicked snake, they kiss and the scene changes.
X is then put on trial in front of the people in the kingdom of Montero for his crime of being gay. In the moments to come he is then rescued from his shackles by a dark angel. The video shifts gears when X pole dances to hell where he fornicates with the devil to ultimately kill him and take his crown.
Since the release of the music video X has been responding nonstop to defend his art from the criticism it is receiving. But things have only gotten worse for him as people threaten to never let their kids listen to his music again.
In collaboration to his music video X was set to release a customized version of Nike Air Max 97s that have been given the name “Satan shoes.” The sneakers are decorated with a pentagram pendant and a reference to Luke 10:18, a Bible verse about Satan’s fall from heaven. A total 666 pairs of the modified Nikes were made and priced at $1,018. They sold out shortly after they went on sale Monday.
The company that made the shoe is MSCHF. It is known for creating controversial and viral products. The Satan shoe is the company’s craziest concept yet, as each shoe contains a drop of human blood inside the sole, drawn from members of the MSCHF team.
According to an article published by NBC News, Nike filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit Monday against MSCHF for releasing a controversial customized version of its sneakers in collaboration with the Lil Nas X.
“The lawsuit argues that Nike must maintain control over its brand ‘by setting the record straight’ about what products bear its distinctive ‘swoosh’ logo. In fact, 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 authorized or approved this product,” the lawsuit says.
In a statement after the complaint was filed, Nike reiterated that it is in no way affiliated with the Satan shoes.