World’s Rarest Album: “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin”
The public will have a rare opportunity to hear excerpts from the world's rarest album, Wu-Tang Clan's "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin."
The incredibly exclusive album will be on display and played at an Australian museum.
“Once Upon a Time in Shaolin”: A Unique Piece of Art
Encased in a luxurious silver box, "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" is more than just music; it's a coveted art piece. Recorded in secrecy over six years, there's only one copy of this CD in existence.
This groundbreaking record by the Wu-Tang Clan holds the title of the world's rarest album, having sold for a staggering $2 million, and is currently on loan to Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art (Mona).
World's rarest album to go on display in Australia https://t.co/SAIQj9QjOh
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 28, 2024
Source: Twitter/BBCWorld
Mona to Host Public Listening Events for Rare Album
In June, Mona will hold a series of exclusive listening parties over 10 days. Visitors will be able to listen to a curated 30-minute selection from the world's rarest album. This event is part of the museum's thought-provoking "Namedropping" exhibition, which explores themes of status, fame, and human ambition.
"Sometimes, an object can possess an almost mystical quality that transcends its physical form," explained Jarrod Rawlins, Mona's Director of Curatorial Affairs. "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is much more than just an album; it had to be included in this exhibition."
The Story Behind the World’s Rarest Album
The Wu-Tang Clan, formed in Staten Island in the early '90s, revolutionized hip-hop with their controversial lyrics. "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" was recorded between 2006 and 2013 in New York City and Marrakesh, featuring all nine surviving members, pop icon Cher, and actress Carice Van Houten.
In response to the decline in music's value from streaming and piracy, the group created the album as a unique art piece, likened by producer RZA to a Picasso or ancient artifact.
The package includes a hand-carved nickel box, a leather-bound manuscript of lyrics, a certificate of authenticity, and a legal restriction preventing the release of the 31 tracks for 88 years. Only a select few have heard parts of the album since its 2015 sale.
A History of Ownership and Controversy
In 2015, a group of potential buyers and media representatives were granted the privilege of hearing a 13-minute excerpt from the album. The album was ultimately purchased for $2 million by Martin Shkreli, a disgraced pharmaceutical executive.
Shkreli sparked outrage by streaming clips of the album on YouTube to celebrate Donald Trump's 2016 election victory. Following his conviction for defrauding investors in 2018, Shkreli was forced to surrender the album to US prosecutors. It was then sold to the digital art collective Pleasr.
Pleasr expressed their enthusiasm for the Mona listening parties, scheduled for June 15 to 24, stating it aligns with their vision of presenting a single-copy album as a work of art. Mona is known for its thought-provoking exhibitions; a recent one, the Ladies Lounge, gained international attention due to its involvement in a high-profile anti-discrimination case.
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