The long-awaited and highly exclusive Wu-Tang Clan album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, is now available to the public through a groundbreaking NFT sale. The digital art collective PleasrDAO, which owns the album, has made it accessible as an NFT for just $1. This innovative approach aims to democratize access to the album while highlighting the value of music in the digital age.

A Journey of Ownership

Initially sold to controversial pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli in 2015 for $2 million, the album came with a contract preventing its public release for 88 years. After Shkreli’s assets were seized by the U.S. government following his securities fraud conviction, PleasrDAO purchased the album in 2021 for $4 million.

Each dollar earned from NFT sales will reduce the album’s 88-year waiting period by 88 seconds. However, for now, fans will only have access to a five-minute sampler of the album, keeping the full content under wraps. The sale does not require cryptocurrency, making it accessible to a broader audience.

Preserving and Democratizing Art

PleasrDAO, known for purchasing culturally significant digital artworks, has teamed up with various platforms to distribute the encrypted album. The collaboration aims to honor the Wu-Tang Clan’s artistic vision while making the album accessible to the public. Proceeds from the NFT sales will be shared with Wu-Tang Clan members, including RZA and Cilvaringz, the album’s producers.

The secretive nature and the album’s restricted release have sparked mixed reactions within the Wu-Tang Clan. Method Man criticized the approach, calling it “gimmicky” and expressing frustration over not being informed about the album’s day-to-day developments. Ghostface Killah also expressed disappointment over Shkreli’s purchase but remains hopeful that fans will eventually hear the album.

Public Display and Legal Disputes

Fans currently have a rare opportunity to experience the album at the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, Tasmania, until June 24. Additionally, PleasrDAO recently held private listening sessions in New York.

Meanwhile, PleasrDAO has initiated legal proceedings against Shkreli, accusing him of unauthorized reproduction and public performance of the album. The lawsuit seeks to recover copies of the album and claims that Shkreli’s actions have depreciated its value and damaged the collective’s reputation.

The release of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin as an NFT marks a significant moment in the intersection of music and digital art. By making the album accessible for $1, PleasrDAO is challenging traditional notions of music ownership and distribution, while also preserving the Wu-Tang Clan’s artistic legacy.