Wu-Tang fans, already enjoying the hit Hulu show, Wu-Tang: An American Saga can expect more good Wu-news this week . The US Government has officially shared images of the Wu-Tang Clan’s exclusive Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album.
The album only has one copy and was originally owned by the infamous “pharma-bro” Martin Shkreli. Last year, the crypto group PleasrDAO ended up buying the album from the government for about $4 million USD. Famed publication Buzzfeed filed a lawsuit against the US Government to obtain documents, images, and more about the album.
NEW: @BuzzFeedNews & I sued the govt under #FOIA for docs about it’s sale of Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. We obtained amazing new pics of it, bill of sale, purchase agreement & more. But govt claims sale price of album is a trade secret! https://t.co/SYZCL14IpO pic.twitter.com/2JjKPLM2wN
— Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) January 5, 2022
Thanks to our #FOIA atty @jloevy for working to get these Wu-Tang docs released on our behalf! pic.twitter.com/3Oeqkw27Wo
— Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) January 5, 2022
Ownership History of Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin
The album’s previous owner Martin Shkreli made it known he would keep the album to himself. At the time, he simply wanted to tease Hip-Hop fans by never sharing any of the songs with Wu-Tang fans. Wu-Tang Clan member RZA even shared that he regrets selling the album to Martin Shkreli in hindsight.
Upon news of the US Government sharing images of the Wu-Tang Clan’s exclusive Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album, we also heard the motivation of the new owners. Jamis Johnson, the Chief Pleasing Officer of PleasrDAO, expressed, “This beautiful piece of art, this ultimate protest against middlemen and rent-seekers of musicians and artists, went south by going into the hands of Martin Shkreli, the ultimate internet villain.”
How much would you pay to hear this mysterious album? It’s crazy to think that there’s an unheard album in the discography of such an iconic rap group. Read more of FM Hip-Hop’s featured articles today.
