Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is a limited edition double album by New Yorkhip hop group Wu-Tang Clan released in 2015. One double-LP copy of the album was made in 2014 which, along with a custom vinyl player, was stored in a vault in Morocco. The album is to be auctioned off to the highest bidder in early 2015.[1] A legal agreement with the purchaser states it cannot be resold until 2103, although it can be released for free or aired during listening parties.[2] Many fans reacted negatively to this new, believing that the album would not be available to the public until 2103. Wu-Tang member Method Man spoke out against the contract, blaming fellow member RZA. RZA replied stating that the 88-year ban was due to his belief in Five-Percent Nation mathematical philosophies, as there were eight original members of the Wu-Tang, the digits of 2015 add up to eight, Paddle8 has eight in its name, eight is a symbol of infinity, and was used in their sophomore album Wu-Tang Forever.[3] Wu-Tang later released an official statement saying that, although the album is unable to be sold until 2103, the purchaser still has the right to distribute the contents online for free and hold free listening parties.[4] On the 3 March 2015, as the album was detained at JFK Airport for three hours as border control determined the contents of the custom vinyl player.[5]
