One interesting feature regarding this album is its unique distribution model. When the album was released in 2015, it was sold at auction to the highest bidder for $2 million. However, the buyer, Martin Shkreli (also known as "Pharma Bro"), was not allowed to commercially release or stream the album.
The U.S. Department of Justice sold the album for $4.75 million to PleasrDAO, a decentralized autonomous organization that collects digital art and rare artifacts. The 88-Year Lock and the "RAR" Myth
Searching for a “.rar” of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is searching for something that was deliberately designed to never exist. RZA’s goal was to make music rare again — to force us to value an album as a unique physical artifact, not a disposable zip file. once upon a time in shaolin rar
The trajectory of the album—and the search for its digital footprint—shifted dramatically in 2021. Following Shkreli’s conviction for securities fraud, the U.S. government seized the album to pay off his debts. It was subsequently sold for $4.75 million to , a digital art collective.
By restricting the physical copy, Wu-Tang accidentally triggered an intense digital manhunt. Enter Martin Shkreli and the Federal Seizure One interesting feature regarding this album is its
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with unreleased Wu-Tang lore.
The current owner, the digital art collective , has been finding creative ways to share the music without violating the 88-year ban:
"Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" is a double album that features 36 tracks and over 2 hours of music. It was initially released as a limited edition vinyl box set that included a USB drive with the music files, a hardcover book, and a series of cryptic messages and clues that led to a live show. RZA’s goal was to make music rare again
In 2015, Wu-Tang Clan producer Cilvaringz and de facto leader RZA finalized a secret six-year project. Their goal was to protest the devaluation of digital music by treating an album like a piece of fine art.
The hunt for the file may soon change. PleasrDAO recently launched a dedicated website allowing fans to sample a continuous mix of the album for $1, with plans to expand access as they navigate the complex 88-year copyright restriction.