LOS ANGELES — Lil Nas X is facing a backlash over a collection of Satan-inspired shoes which contain a drop of real human blood.

The rapper has teamed up with streetwear brand MSCHF for the customised red and black Nike Air Max '97s Satan Shoes, featuring "Luke 10:18" embroidered the sides, with only 666 pairs available priced at US$1,018 (S$1,372). 

The passage from the bible references Satan’s fall from heaven, and there's also a pentagram pendant attached to the shoe laces, and human blood mixed with red ink in the sole. 

The Old Town Road hitmaker faced criticism on social media after news of the shoes was announced, and Nike were forced to issue a statement confirming they had no part in the collaboration. 

"We do not have a relationship with Little Nas X or MSCHF. Nike did not design or release these shoes and we do not endorse them," the sportswear brand said in a statement. 

The Satan Shoes were inspired by Lil Nas' video for his new song Montero (Call Me By Your Name), in which he descends into hell using a stripper pole and seduces the devil with a lapdance. 

The 21-year-old issued a joke apology to the backlash over the shoes, and took to YouTube to share a video titled, "Lil Nas X Apologizes for Satan Shoe."

He began the clip saying, "OK, guys, I see everybody's been talking about this shoe, and I just want to come forward and say..." before the video cut to a scene from his music video. 

MSCHF told NBC News that company employees donated blood to be used in the shoes. 

The brand also released a Jesus Shoe in 2019, which reportedly featured holy water from the River Jordan in the sole. REUTERS

Lil Nas X Apologizes for Satan Shoe https://t.co/bQ1hbmHQqh pic.twitter.com/hM5vsLRSAk — nope (@LilNasX) March 28, 2021