Cyrus Langhorne
Wu-Tang Clan‘s secret Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album has reportedly been sold to pharmaceutical company executive Martin Shkreli for allegedly $2 million.
Despite winning a hefty bidding war, Shkreli has yet to fully hear the new album.
He hasn’t listened to Once Upon a Time in Shaolin yet. He’s saving that for a time when he’s feeling low and needs something to lift his spirits. “I could be convinced to listen to it earlier if Taylor Swift wants to hear it or something like that,” Shkreli says. “But for now, I think I’m going to kind of save it for a rainy day.” (Bloomberg Business)
Shkreli also talked about his interest in artists making full-length projects for his personal enjoyment.
Shkreli wants more artists to make private albums for him. He figures they could use the money, and he will let them do whatever they want. “It’s almost like the instructions to the band are, ‘Do your best work, however much time it takes, and never compromise anything for me,’ ” he says. “ ‘I just want to hear what you’ve got.’” (Bloomberg Audio)
Last month reports claimed the Tarik “Cilvaringz” Azzougarh and RZA-produced album had gone into the hands of a secret buyer.
Paddle8 representatives confirmed the sale of Wu-Tang’s to FORBES during interviews for a magazine story on the auction house. When contacted for comment, Azzougarh referred FORBES to Paddle8; a company representative reached by email today would not offer any details on the album’s buyer or when it was sold. (Forbes)
In March, the Wu issued a statement and defended only creating one version of Once Upon A Time In Shaolin.
“Only one single copy of Once Upon A Time In Shaolin was ever to be made. This has been the case since the very first announcement. A commercial release was never planned. The right to commercialize it, meaning the right to sell it en mass to the public in any form is not allowed until 88 years from now. If the public rights were handed over now, then this would be a record deal like any other. Not the sale of a single copy. It can be exhibited publicly and it can be given away for free. But it cannot be commercialized as a conventional album release until 2103. Even then, it will be the owner’s decision to release it or keep it as a single unit, not the Wu-Tang.” (Statement)
Isn’t that the heavily tainted guy surrounded by the controversy for jacking up drug prices by several thousand percent and under investigation? And all they got from this pariah was 2 million bucks to be split up 20 ways and taxed? I don’t know Wu…..tell me how this is a win again?
because it brought in more money then if they would had released it in todays hip hop climate. It wouldn’t even go Gold if they released it to the public. they made enough money that they are donating some of the profit to charity. It a win all around. by the way, they sold this album before knowing him and the controversy surrounding him.
Used to respect the Wu, guess it’s ALL about the money, damn shame Wu. This is that douchebag who jacked up prices on meds that were needed by 5000% f-ck this guy.
and what do they have to do with that
They provided him with the pleasure of listening to their work. The scumbag paid for it with money generated from raising the price on a necessary medicine by 5000%. They assisted a scumbag obtain something that will bring him joy and entertainment by using his money earned on other people’s potential suffering.
Cool concept…its not really about money at all…all want there share but its more or less like a tribute to your fan..its more art than an album…its a dope concept…long live wu…
Isn’t that the heavily tainted guy surrounded by the controversy for jacking up drug prices by several thousand percent and under investigation? And all they got from this pariah was 2 million bucks to be split up 20 ways and taxed? I don’t know Wu…..tell me how this is a win again?
because it brought in more money then if they would had released it in todays hip hop climate. It wouldn’t even go Gold if they released it to the public. they made enough money that they are donating some of the profit to charity. It a win all around. by the way, they sold this album before knowing him and the controversy surrounding him.
Unless I just missed it, the quote in the headline was nowhere in this article. .
Used to respect the Wu, guess it’s ALL about the money, damn shame Wu. This is that douchebag who jacked up prices on meds that were needed by 5000% f-ck this guy.
and what do they have to do with that
They provided him with the pleasure of listening to their work. The scumbag paid for it with money generated from raising the price on a necessary medicine by 5000%. They assisted a scumbag obtain something that will bring him joy and entertainment by using his money earned on other people’s potential suffering.
Cool concept…its not really about money at all…all want there share but its more or less like a tribute to your fan..its more art than an album…its a dope concept…long live wu…
Unless I just missed it, the quote in the headline was nowhere in this article. .