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The world's rarest album, *Once Upon a Time in Shaolin* by the Wu-Tang Clan, is set to go on display at Australia's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Tasmania. This unique and highly valuable album, housed in an ornate silver box, was recorded in secret over six years by the iconic hip-hop group.
Designed as a piece of fine art, *Once Upon a Time in Shaolin* is the most expensive album ever sold, with only a single CD copy in existence. From June 15 to June 24, MONA will host exclusive listening parties, allowing the public to hear a curated 30-minute sample of the album as part of its "Name Dropping" exhibition, which examines themes of status, notoriety, and "the human pursuit."
"Every once in a while, an object on this planet possesses mystical properties that transcend its material circumstances," said Jarrod Rawlins, MONA's Director of Curatorial Affairs. "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is more than just an album, so... I knew I had to get it into this exhibition."
The Wu-Tang Clan, formed in Staten Island in the early 1990s, revolutionized hip-hop with their innovative approach and gritty, raw lyrics. The album features all nine surviving members of the group, as well as guest appearances by pop artist Cher and *Game of Thrones* actress Carice Van Houten. It was recorded in New York City and produced in Marrakesh between 2006 and 2013.
The group created *Once Upon a Time in Shaolin* as a statement against the devaluation of music in the era of online streaming and piracy. They adopted a Renaissance-style approach, offering the album as a commissioned commodity. It includes a hand-carved nickel box, a leather-bound manuscript containing lyrics, and a certificate of authenticity. Additionally, a legal condition prevents the album's owner from commercially releasing the 31 tracks for 88 years.
When the album went on sale in 2015, Wu-Tang member RZA likened it to a Picasso artwork or an ancient Egyptian artifact. "It's a unique original rather than a master copy of an album," he said. Consequently, only a handful of people have heard snippets of the album. In 2015, a group of potential buyers and media were privy to a 13-minute section. Later, disgraced pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli, who purchased the album for $2 million, streamed clips of the music on YouTube to celebrate Donald Trump's 2016 election victory.
Shkreli's ownership of the album ended in 2018 when he was convicted of defrauding investors. The U.S. government seized the album, and it was later sold to the digital art collective PleasrDAO in 2021 for $4 million. PleasrDAO has now loaned the album to MONA, helping to realize their "bold vision to make a single copy album as a work of fine art."
MONA, known for its provocative exhibitions, will offer free tickets for the listening sessions, though only a limited number will be available. The museum's "Name Dropping" exhibition will include the album as a centerpiece, highlighting its significance as both a cultural artifact and a piece of contemporary art. For more information on ticket availability, interested individuals can sign up for MONA's mailing list.
This display marks the first time the general public will have the opportunity to hear the world's rarest album, making it a historic moment in music and art.
