Wu-Tang Changed The Album Release Game

You don't have to be a fan of the Wu-Tang Clan to find the way they're releasing their new album interesting. And you don't have to be that big of a fan to know that this album release is the most Wu-Tangiest thing that has ever happened. Wu-Tang Clan is releasing only one copy of their new album. One. Copy. This is insanity. Beautiful, genius insanity that might end with a museum heist.

Wu-Tang recorded the album, The Wu — Once Upon a Time in Shaolin in secret over the past few years. The group will only produce one copy the album and it will sit inside a one-of-a-kind engraved box made by British-Moroccan artist Yahya. Try to tell me that doesn't put Beyoncé's surprise release to shame.

Wu-Tang member Robert "RZA" Diggs told Forbes, "We’re about to sell an album like nobody else sold it before. We’re making a single-sale collector’s item. This is like somebody having the scepter of an Egyptian king." And with that Kanye West sensed a disturbance in the force and shivered with the sudden realization that someone took an idea that should have been his.

There are plans for the album to tour museums that will provide listening stations before being sold for millions of dollars. The album's producer, Tarik “Cilvaringz” Azzougarh says, "One leak of this thing nullifies the entire concept." Once the album is sold, the owner has the choice to do what they choose with it, including releasing copies of it to the public which would be guaranteed to make them back quite a bit of their money.

RZA went on to explain the thoughts behind Once Upon A Time's interesting release. "The idea that music is art has been something we advocated for years and yet its doesn’t receive the same treatment as art in the sense of the value of what it is, especially nowadays when it’s been devalued and diminished to almost the point that it has to be given away for free."

If you aren't able to get your listen of Once Up A Time in during it's tour, don't fret. Wu-Tang is also planning to release a second new album in July titled A Better Tomorrow. This album was previously announced and will likely make a more traditional debut.