RZA discusses controversial Wu-Tang Clan album sale to Martin Shkreli

RZA, leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, has reflected on the controversial 2015 sale of the group’s unique album, ‘Once Upon a Time in Shaolin’, to Martin Shkreli. In a recent interview, RZA admitted to feeling panic after Shkreli became embroiled in a drug-pricing scandal, noting that he attempted to exit the deal but was prevented from doing so by a signed contract.

The 31-track album was created as an artistic experiment regarding the value of music in an era of easy digital copying. It was released as a single physical copy in a silver box and was reportedly purchased by Shkreli for approximately $2 million. Following Shkreli’s 2017 conviction for securities fraud, the album was eventually sold to help satisfy a $7.4 million legal judgment.

Reflecting on the event years later, RZA stated that he has accepted Shkreli’s place in the Wu-Tang history. His comments coincide with the release of the film ‘The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable’, which explores the creation of the album and the journey of Dutch-Moroccan rapper Cilvaringz (Tarik Azzougarh) within the Wu-Tang circle.