The new owners of the elusive Wu-Tang Clan album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin have finally revealed their identities.
In a new Rolling Stone feature, a group of 74 crypto fans named PleasrDAO confirmed that they were the ones who purchased Shaolin from the federal government in July for $4 million USD. The group is known for purchasing “digital collectibles honoring anti-establishment rebels,” and unlike the album’s previous owner Martin Shkreli, they plan on ideally sharing the Wu-Tang record with the world. “This beautiful piece of art, this ultimate protest against middlemen and rent-seekers of musicians and artists, went south by going into the hands of Martin Shkreli, the ultimate internet villain,” Jamis Johnson, PleasrDAO’s Chief Pleasing Officer, said.
Johnson added that they want to bring “this back to the people. We want fans to participate in this album at some level,” but discussions with RZA and producer Cilvaringz will need to take place as the album cannot be commercially released until 2103. Cyrus Bozorgmehr, who worked with Cilvaringz during the Shaolin first rollout, explained that exhibits centered on the album could be possible. “You couldn’t play [the album] onstage at Coachella, but you could take out six really cool spaces across the world and do exhibitions with it where 200 people come at a time,” he said, adding, “And you would be able to sell tickets.”
Shkreli, dubbed “Pharma Bro,” acquired Shaolin for $2 million USD in 2015. However, he was arrested and eventually convicted for securities fraud in 2018, with the government seizing his assets.
Elsewhere in music, Young Thug revealed that he and Mac Miller recorded “Day Before” the day before Miller’s death.
