The Wu-Tang Clan sold its one and only existing album of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin for $2 million yesterday to Martin Shkreli, some “badboy Pharma” douche. Today, the proper wrinkle has been bestowed upon us.
The contract Shkreli signed apparently comes with a perfectly strange and fascinating clause that only the RZA could come up with. According to the now infamous clause, every active member of the Wu-Tang Clan — along with BILL MURRAY? — is entitled one opportunity to steal the album back with zero legal repercussions.
While one might be inclined to think this is a joke — which it very well might be (update: It is 100% a hoax) — remember, this is a project headed up by the always original and inventive RZA, who said creating the single-sale collector’s item was like “someone having the scepter of an Egyptian king.” But of course.
In short, expecting the unexpected has come to be expected. Here’s the official wording from the clause. Allegedly:
The buying party also agrees that at any time during the stipulated 88 year period, the seller may legally plan and attempt to execute one (1) heist or caper to steal back Once Upon A Time In Shaolin, which, if successful, would return all ownership rights to the seller. Said heist or caper can only be undertaken by currently active members of the Wu-Tang Clan and/or actor Bill Murray, with no legal repercussions.
Even if it is a joke, all this news does is create an inevitable Wu-Tang/Bill Murray get-together of sorts. And there’s absolutely nothing not to love about that, as evidenced by this oddly awesome scene from Coffee and Cigarettes.
“And you’re Bill Murray. Bill, Groundhog Day, Ghost-busting ass Murray.”
Fucking magical.
In case you’e curious, the 31-track album comes in a hand-carved box with a 174-page leather-bound book containing lyrics and background information on each song. Before yesterday’s sale, RZA and his co-producer, Tarik “Cilvaringz” Azzougarh, were the only people to have heard the entire record.
On that note, let’s allow the boys to close this fucker out.
[H/T Pigeons & Planes, NME]