Wu-Tang Clan fans have been thirsting over the possibility of hearing the one-of-a-kind, secret album from the group ever since RZA made it public knowledge last year. With Once Upon a Time In Shaolin about to be auctioned off via the site Paddle8, Forbes has learned that even after the album is sold to the single buyer, there will be an 88-year copyright on the project that will prohibit the buyer from sharing the project in any capacity. "After 88 years the copyright, which includes public and commercial rights, automatically transfers to the owner of the work. However, it will still be his or her choice at that [point] to release it or not release it," revealed producer Civalringz.
So, this basically means that even though the project is set to be sold in the near future, fans probably still won't be able to hear the album during their lifetime. Why 88 years though? Well, the significance of that number is that it is the total number of artists on the original Wu-Tang Clan roster added together in 2015.
If you're interested in throwing your name into the hat for the upcoming auction, check out the information here, though, with reports of $5 million offers already, you better bring your checkbook.
UPDATE 3/4/15: In an interview with XXL, Wu-Tang member Method Man criticized the release plan for Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, which as previously reported will have an 88-year copyright attached to it.
"Fuck that album," he said. “I’m tired of this shit and I know everybody else is tired of it, too. Fuck that album, if that’s what they are doing. I haven’t heard anything like that, but if they’re doing crap like that, fuck that album. Straight up. I’m just keeping it 100. When music can’t be music and y’all turning it into something else, fuck that."
"Give it to the people," he continued. "If they want to hear the shit, let them have it. Give it away free. I don’t give a fuck; that ain’t making nobody rich or poor. Give the fucking music out. Stop playing with the public, man."
UPDATE 3/7/15: Wu-Tang Clan released an official press release clarifying the 88-year waiting issue.
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