American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan has successfully sold the only remaining copy of the "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" album to an undisclosed private collector who currently has the only right to listen to the rare tracks.
The Wu-Tang Clan album was actually sold in May, but additional details about the sale conducted by upstart auction house Paddle8 have only been revealed recently.
A private American collector has now taken hold of the single copy of the double-album "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" which has 31 songs in total and took Wu-Tang Clan about nine years to make, according to Forbes.
Likewise, the actual price of the album has not been revealed, but Paddle8 have identified "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" as the most expensive album to date. The purchase is more expensive than when singer Jack White acquired a special acetate recording of an Elvis Presley track.
While the hip-hop group is expected to garner a lot of money for the lone copy, Wu-Tang Clan co-founder RZA has made the issue clear that a major part of the earnings will be given to charity. The Wu-Tang Clan member also noted that the unusual sale would create substantial discussions about the processes and nuances of creativity.
Despite the album being given to just one individual, the public can indeed listen to "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" after 88 years, which is the amount of time needed before the private collector gets the right to share all 31 tracks in the album.
Earlier this year dedicated Wu-Tang Clan fans from Utah and California made a Kickstarter event with the hopes of raising millions of dollars to purchase "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin," according to The Verge.
While the Kickstarter event never reached even a million dollars, the aim of the project was commendable as the Wu-Tang Clan fans hoped to distribute the album to everyone.
Another perk given to those who would chip in to the cause was that the physical copy of "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" would be given to one lucky individual through a raffle.
The physical copy of the rare Wu-Tang Clan album is made of silver, nickel and is designed by artist Yahya.