- Only a few people around the world have ever listened to the album
- It will be played to the public for the first time at The Museum of Old and New Art
By Madison Burgess
Published: | Updated:
The world's rarest album which only a few people around the world have ever listened to is going on display at a gallery in Australia.
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, which was recorded in secret over a period of six years by Wu-Tang Clan, will be played to the public for the first time ever at The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart, Tasmania.
For 10 days in June, the museum will be holding small 30-minute-long listening parties where fans can hear a curated sample of the loaned creation.
Housed in its own silver box, the seventh studio album by the pioneering American hip-hop group only has one physical copy and is the most expensive ever to be sold.
The album which was intended to be a fine piece of art, was once bought by the disgraced pharmaceutical entrepreneur Martin Shkreli for $2 million.
Housed in its own silver box, the seventh studio album by the pioneering American hip-hop group only has one physical copy and is the most expensive ever to be sold
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin was recorded in secret over a period of six years by Wu-Tang Clan
The sought-after event is taking place on Saturday 15 and Monday 24 June at 1pm and 4pm.
Tickets are free if you are lucky enough to secure one when they go on sale at 10am on Thursday 30 May.
It comes as part of MONA's Namedropping exhibition, taking place between 15 June 2024 and 21 April 2025, which has the aim of examining status, notoriety and 'the human pursuit'.
The exhibition of some 200 artworks and objects assembled in MONA's subterranean galleries will pose questions: What makes the big names big: Porsche, Picasso or Pompidou? What is the nature of status and why is it useful?
Speaking about the album, MONA's director of current affairs, Jarod Rawlins said: 'Every once in a while, an object on this planet possesses mystical properties that transcend its material circ*mstances.
'Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is more than just an album, so when I was thinking about status, and what a transcendent namedrop could be, I knew I had to get it into this exhibition.'
The album is bound by a legal agreement that prevents its commercial release until the year 2103 - however, it can be played at listening parties.
Upon its creation, it was pressed onto a two-CD copy with the digital master files deleted.
Tickets are free if you are lucky enough to secure one when they go on sale at 10am on Thursday 30 May
Formed in 1992 in New York City, Wu-Tang Clan are often praised for changing how the world viewed hip-hop and revolutionising the genre
After its original sale at auction back in 2015, it went on to be owned by the digital art collective Pleasr.
The album's appearance at MONA is the first time it has been loaned to a museum since the original sale.
It was recorded in New York City and includes the voices of the nine surviving members of the group, as well as Cher and Game of Thrones star Carice Van Houten.
In a statement reported by The Guardian Pleasr said it was 'honoured to partner with Mona to support RZA’s vision for Once Upon a Time in Shaolin.'
Adding: 'Ten years ago, the Wu-Tang Clan had a bold vision to make a single copy album as a work of fine art. To put it in an art gallery, make music become a living piece like a Mona Lisa or a sceptre from Egypt.
'With this single work of art, the Wu-Tang Clan’s intention was to redefine the meaning of music ownership and value in a world of digital streaming and commodification of music.'
Formed in 1992 in New York City, Wu-Tang Clan are often praised for changing how the world viewed hip-hop and revolutionising the genre - they went on to become one of the most legendary rap groups.
The Grammy-nominated music collective have released eight studio albums, with their second release Wu-Tang Forever topping the UK chart.
Tasmania
