Earlier this year, Wu-Tang Clan revealed a particularly intriguing plan for a new album. Rather than release the music for Once Upon A Time In Shaolin publicly, the group announced plans to release a single copy to the highest bidder, with a clause stipulating that the music is not to be shared for 88 years.
It seems that a private collector has purchased the secret Shaolin album, and though his identity has not been revealed, it was confirmed that he spent “in the millions” for the music by auction house Paddle8. That breaks the record that Jack White set back in March, when he spent $300,000 on Elvis’s first-ever recordings, which he plans to restore and distribute to the masses.
Speaking about the project, Wu-Tang member RZA said in a statement: “The Wu-Tang Clan have always been driven by innovation, and this marks another moment in musical history… From the beginning, we hoped that this concept would inspire debate and new ways of seeing creativity. Both of those goals have been achieved, and the ideas continue to evolve.” The group also promised to pledge a majority of the proceeds to charity.
While the “88 years” clause has not been confirmed, it is apparent that fans won’t be hearing Shaolin any time soon. The auction house worked with Wu-Tang and producers on a new type legal protection that is both physical and digital, preventing the distribution of the new music.
All this commotion over one album? At least it comes in a pretty box.
[Via Forbes]