# Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time in Shaolin Album Snippets Released The exclusive one-of-one record finally becomes audible through a new podcast collaboration. - **Source:** [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com) - **Published:** 2026-10-16 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c2133704-a7ec-4bc7-a432-ac4ec933c6ed ## Rare Album Access Granted The elusive Wu-Tang Clan album, Once Upon A Time in Shaolin, is finally accessible to the public in limited form. Two snippets from the record were featured on the podcast Pablo Torre Finds Out. This marks a significant shift for an album previously locked away from the general listening audience for years. ## Complex Ownership History The album has a turbulent history involving high-profile figures and government intervention. Martin Shkreli purchased the sole copy at auction in 2015. Following legal issues, the US government seized the asset. It was eventually sold in 2021 to the crypto art collective PleasrDAO, which currently holds the rights to the unique record. ## Commercial Release Restrictions The album remains under strict commercial release limitations until the year 2103. This unique contractual constraint was established by the Wu-Tang Clan to maintain the record's status as a singular piece of art. Consequently, the album cannot be sold or distributed through traditional streaming platforms, forcing owners to find creative exhibition methods. ## Podcast Listening Event The podcast team collaborated with PleasrDAO to host an exclusive listening session. During this event, they played the album for Method Man, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan who had never heard the final product. The production team recorded his genuine reaction and included two specific audio snippets within the episode broadcast. ## Method Man's Reaction Method Man provided his first public assessment of the project after hearing the music during the podcast session. His reaction was measured, stating simply that he does not hate the album. This moment serves as a rare validation of the project from a core member of the group that originally created it. ## Strategic Audio Snippets Listeners can access the audio clips at the 32:30 and 39:02 marks of the podcast episode. These snippets represent the first time the public has heard actual content from the album since its creation. This distribution method highlights how niche media can leverage exclusive assets to drive significant engagement and listener interest. ## Crypto Collective Influence PleasrDAO has utilized the album as a centerpiece for their crypto art collective identity. By allowing special exhibitions and podcast features, they manage the asset's visibility while respecting the original commercial restrictions. This approach demonstrates how decentralized organizations can act as custodians for high-value cultural artifacts in the digital age. ## Future Cultural Impact The release of these snippets underscores the evolving nature of music ownership and exclusivity in the modern era. As the album remains locked until 2103, these rare glimpses serve as the primary way for fans to engage with the work. The project continues to challenge traditional notions of music distribution and accessibility. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/1013277/wu-tang-once-upon-a-time-in-shaolin-pablo-torre-martin-shkreli — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._