‘Blood brothers?’ Lil Nas X teams up with Tony Hawk… after calling out similar blood-infused stunt as it didn’t spark outrage like his ‘Satan Shoes’
Lil Nas X is making nice with skateboarding legend Tony Hawk.
Last week, the rapper – real name Montero Lamar Hill – pointed out a perceived double standard after Hawk, 53, used his own blood to put in a limited edition skateboard for beverage company Liquid Death.
Lil Nas, 22, highlighted that there was ‘no public outrage’ to the stunt, unlike when he released his custom Nike ‘Satan Shoes’ that also contained human blood.
Making nice: Lil Nas X teams up with Tony Hawke after calling out similar blood-infused stunt that did not spark outrage like his ‘Satan Shoes’
But it seems like the pair used it as an opportunity to link up, after posting a funny video of them skating together – with Hawk commenting underneath: ‘Blood brothers?’
In the video, Lil Nas – who appears to be wearing sneakers very similar to his Satan Shoes – pretends he’s got the skills, as it cuts to Hawke showing off his moves on a skateboard.
Hawk had teamed up with the beverage Liquid Death to release a limited edition $500 skateboard with his blood infused into the paint.
Coming together: The funny video showed Lil Nas X pretending to be a pro skateboarder like Tony Hawk
Not him: Lil Nas X pretended to be a pro, but the video cut to Tony Hawk
Pals: The pair posted a snap on Instagram, with Tony commenting, ‘Blood brothers’
Taking to Twitter after the fact, Lil Nas said there had been ‘no public outrage’ over Hawk’s marketing trick, adding: ‘Are y’all ready to admit y’all were never actually upset over the blood in the shoes? and maybe u were mad for some other reason?’
One fan replied highlighting the difference in reaction between a ‘gay black man selling blood shoes’ and a ‘white dude selling blood skateboards.’
The rapper’s controversial sneakers sold out under a minute back in March, while Hawk’s limited edition skateboard line sold out within 20 minutes.
However, Hawk’s team-up with sparkling water brand Liquid Death was part of a pre-agreed marketing strategy, while Lil Nas got into hot water with Nike as his sneakers were unofficial merchandise.
Where’s the outrage? Lil Nas X has called out a perceived double standard after Tony Hawk pulled a similar blood-infused stunt to his ‘Satan Shoes’ that caused ‘no public outrage’
The black-and-red sneakers were part of a collaboration between the performer and New York-based art collective MSCHF and were made using Nike Air Max 97s.
Their design included a pentagram pendant, and an upside down crucifix, and 666 pairs were made.
They quickly sold out at $1,018 a pair, but Nike later slapped a lawsuit on the company MSCHF over trademark infringement, following the public outcry.
Not as controversial? Hawk teamed up with the beverage Liquid Death to release a limited edition $500 skateboard with his blood infused into the paint
The suit was later settled, and Lil Nas was not a defendant.
At the time, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem slammed the rapper for promoting the sneakers – and his raunchy demon-themed new music video – during Holy Week.
His accompanying Satanic themed music video for Montero (Call Me By Your Name) raised more than a few eyebrows in the conservative community.
In April, Nike announced that it had reached a settlement with the Brooklyn-based art collect MSCHF Product Studio Inc. for creating ‘Satan Shoes’ in collaboration with the star.
The shoe giant said that MSCHF had agreed to a voluntary recall on the sneakers, which were designed with input from the rapper.
Sell out: Despite the steep price tag, many just had to own the novelty item as all 100 decks were sold out within a mere 20 minutes of the item being posted