May 28th 2024.
Attention all Wu-Tang fans who are willing to make the journey to Australia - you're in for a treat! The ultra-exclusive album, "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin," will finally be available for your listening pleasure at a 10-day museum exhibit. This rare album, first released in 2015, will be on loan to the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania from June 15th to the 24th. According to BBC, attendees will have the opportunity to listen to a 30-minute sample of the album during intimate listening parties as part of the museum's "Namedropping" exhibit. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear the most expensive record ever sold.
The Director of Curatorial Affairs at Mona, Jarrod Rawlins, expressed his excitement for the exhibit, stating that the album holds a certain mystical quality that goes beyond its physical form. "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" is not just an album, it is a true work of art, which is why Rawlins knew it had to be included in the exhibition. The album was recorded in secret by the legendary hip-hop group in New York City, and then produced in Marrakesh between 2006 and 2013. It features all nine surviving members of the group, as well as guest appearances by pop icon Cher and "Game of Thrones" actress Carice Van Houten.
The concept behind the album was to combat the devaluation of music in the digital age. Wu-Tang took a unique approach by treating the album as a commissioned piece of fine art. It is housed in an ornate, hand-carved nickel box and includes a leather-bound manuscript with lyrics and a certificate of authenticity. The owner of the album also receives a legal condition stating that they cannot release the 31 tracks for 88 years. Rza, a member of Wu-Tang, compared the album to a priceless Picasso painting or an ancient Egyptian artifact.
Since its release, only a select few have had the opportunity to listen to small portions of the 31-track album. In 2015, potential buyers and media members were able to hear a 13-minute section before it was purchased by disgraced drug firm executive Martin Shkreli for a staggering $2 million. Shkreli made headlines again in 2016 when he streamed snippets of the album on YouTube to celebrate Donald Trump's presidential election win. However, in 2018, US prosecutors seized the album after Shkreli was convicted of fraud and sentenced to federal prison.
In 2021, the album was sold to digital art collective Pleasr for $4 million in cryptocurrency. They have now made it available for the "Namedropping" exhibit at Mona, which delves into the themes of status, notoriety, and the human desire for recognition. This is a unique opportunity to experience a truly one-of-a-kind album, so don't miss your chance to listen to "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" in all its glory. And for those who can't make it to the exhibit, there are rumors of a Wu-Tang game in development for Xbox – something to look forward to!
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