On Monday, a federal judge ruled Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album, in any recorded or digital form, is no longer allowed to be possessed by former owner Martin Shkreli. In her ruling, Judge Pamela K. Chen ordered the aptly named “Pharma Bro” to report all names of anyone who was issued any music from the album by Sept. 30. Shkreli must also provide any revenues he received from distributing the album Wu-Tang sold in auction with the condition it never be publically released.
Back to the Beginning
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The Wu-Tang Clan/Shkreli saga began in 2015 after the legendary hip-hop ensemble put Once Upon a Time in Shaolin up for auction. According to AP News, Wu-Tang Clan created the 31-track double album over six years before it went to auction. The album was auctioned as a contemporary art piece that included the caveat the winning bidder must not release the album for commercial use. on
After the auction closed, the seventh studio album from Wu-Tang Clan belonged to Shkreli for $2 million. According to Forbes, the goal of the album was to “return the value of music,” which has arguably been diminished with the rise of streaming. By doing so, this would raise the level of the work to that of fine art.
Playing the Villain
After the sale, the world was introduced to Shkreli. Once dubbed an investor and a businessman, the media-dubbed “Pharma Bro” soon learned that he was what Vulture dubbed “the most hated man in pharmaceuticals.” His bad-boy reputation took a hit after it was revealed his pharmaceutical company, Touring Pharmaceuticals, raised the price of an AIDS-related medication.
Under his ownership, Shkreli used the rare Wu-Tang album as a tool to boost his fame while playing the villain. He maintained ownership until 2017, when he was convicted of securities fraud. Shkreli was ordered to surrender Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, according to BBC, as well as forfeit $7.4 million to the U.S. Government. He was released from jail in 2022.
New Ownership Files Lawsuit
The coveted singular copy of the Wu-Tang Clan’s seventh studio album was purchased by cryptocurrency collective PleasrDAO. Claiming he had digital copies of the album, the collective filed suit against Shkreli in court. Since relinquishing ownership of the physical copy of the album, PleasrDao alleged Shkreli retained digital copies.
The Rulings
On Monday, media outlets reported Judge Chen’s most recent ruling in the PleasrDay/Shkreli case. Last month, Judge Chen ordered Shkreli was prohibited from streaming and sharing the album. The verdict Monday reaffirmed he was not the right person to possess the album. Judge Chen ordered the former pharma bro to turn all copies he made of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin to his lawyer by Aug. 30. He must disclose a full list of the copies he had in his possession.
The disclosure must also include who has received copies of the Wu-Tang album and the amount of money he earned from the illegal distribution. PleasrDAO representatives took to their X social media account in response to the ruling. “This concludes phase 1,” it read. “The encrypted album sale has been closed. Congrats to the collectors of the most famous music in the world. Phase 2 is launching soon.”
Conclusion
When the name “Martin Shkreli” comes across a newsfeed, it is hard not to click through to read the articles. It was shocking the first time his name entered news headlines because he paid $2 million for a record. After time passed, he became a great example of how the limelight can highlight the negative aspects of a person’s life. In Shkreli’s case, being center stage highlighted how fraudulent he is – both in his pharmaceutical company and with the coveted Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album. But, he should have known to protect his neck – because “Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothin’ ta F Wit.”
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