In a groundbreaking move, the 88-year-concealed Wu-Tang Clan album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is now available to fans as an NFT. Through a collaboration with digital art collective PleasrDAO, the album can be purchased for at least $1, allowing fans to partially own and enjoy the music. This purchase not only gives fans access to the album but also helps reduce the 88-year waiting period for its full public release, with each dollar received reducing the waiting period by 88 seconds.
The album’s history is marked by controversy, with pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli purchasing it for $2 million in 2015 at an auction. The sale included a contract restricting the album’s public release for 88 years, a decision that drew criticism from fans and members of the Wu-Tang Clan. Following Shkreli’s conviction for securities fraud in 2017, the album was seized by the U.S. government, leading to PleasrDAO’s purchase of the album for $4 million in 2021.
PleasrDAO has been committed to democratizing access to culturally significant digital artworks, and their partnership with the Wu-Tang Clan to distribute Once Upon a Time in Shaolin as an NFT aligns with this mission. Proceeds from the NFT sales will be shared with the Wu-Tang Clan and the album’s producers, RZA and Cilvaringz. The creators emphasize the importance of maintaining the integrity of music as an artwork and personal treasure in the age of digital replication and disappearing physical media.
The release of the Wu-Tang Clan album as an NFT not only gives fans the opportunity to own a piece of music history but also serves as a commentary on the changing landscape of the music industry. PleasrDAO’s efforts to reduce the waiting period for the album’s public release by allowing fans to purchase the NFT highlight a new approach to art ownership and distribution. The group’s dedication to making art accessible to a broader audience reflects a growing trend in the digital art world.
Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding the album, members of the Wu-Tang Clan have expressed hope that fans will eventually get to experience the music. Emcees like Method Man and Ghostface Killah have shared their thoughts on the album’s history and its impact on both the group and their fans. As the album’s journey continues to unfold, PleasrDAO’s legal action against Martin Shkreli for unauthorized reproduction and public performance of the album underscores the collective’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the music and protecting its commercial value.
Overall, the release of the Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album as an NFT represents a unique opportunity for fans to access and partially own a piece of music history. By partnering with PleasrDAO, the Wu-Tang Clan has taken a significant step towards democratizing the distribution of their music while also addressing past controversies surrounding the album’s ownership and release. As the album continues to make headlines and draw attention from fans and critics alike, its legacy as a unique and coveted piece of art remains intact.
