The Wu-Tang Clan spent six years recording the album “Once Upon a Time In Shaolin.” In 2015, it was purchased by former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli for two million dollars. However, in 2021, it was acquired by digital art collective PleasrDAO for a whopping four million dollars. Reflecting on the past sale to Shkreli, RZA, a member of the group, expressed regret, acknowledging that the decision was not wise given Shkreli’s subsequent criminal activities.
During an interview with Hot 97, RZA admitted, “It was in the wrong hands, in reality. He made the deal before his true character was revealed, his personality, and all the nefarious things he would later do. That wasn’t the person I initially met, but he certainly evolved into that person. Now that PleasrDAO has taken ownership of the album, there is a newfound opportunity for the artistic vision of the music to flourish in ways we never imagined.”
The transfer of the album from Shkreli to PleasrDAO opens up a world of possibilities for the project’s impact on the art and music scene. With PleasrDAO at the helm, there is potential for the album to reach new heights and captivate audiences in innovative ways. Despite the tumultuous journey the album has experienced thus far, it is now in the hands of a collective committed to fostering creativity and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. The future of “Once Upon a Time In Shaolin” is brimming with potential, and fans can expect exciting developments in the realm of music and art.