The saga of Martin Shkreli and the Wu-Tang Clan album has taken yet another turn, as the controversial investor is now facing a new lawsuit over his alleged retention and sharing of recordings from the one-of-a-kind album. Shkreli, who gained notoriety for his price-gouging of pharmaceuticals and was dubbed the “Pharma Bro,” acquired the album, titled “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin,” in 2015 for $2 million.
The album, which was limited to a single copy and housed in a hand-carved silver and nickel box, was sold to Shkreli by the Wu-Tang Clan as a unique piece of art. However, following his conviction on securities fraud charges in 2017, Shkreli was ordered to forfeit $7.36 million in assets, including the Wu-Tang album. The album was eventually sold to an undisclosed buyer, but Shkreli was allowed to retain certain rights to the music.
Now, a new lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General’s office alleges that Shkreli has been illegally retaining and sharing recordings from the album in violation of the terms of the sale. The lawsuit claims that Shkreli has shared the music with others, including posting snippets on social media, and has also made unauthorized copies of the recordings.
The Attorney General’s office is seeking to prevent Shkreli from further sharing or disseminating the music, as well as seeking damages for his alleged violations of the terms of the sale. In a statement, Attorney General Letitia James said, “Mr. Shkreli has flagrantly violated the terms of the sale of the Wu-Tang Clan album, and we are seeking to hold him accountable for his actions.”
Shkreli’s legal team has denied the allegations, arguing that he has not violated the terms of the sale and has only shared the music with a small group of friends. They also claim that Shkreli has not made any unauthorized copies of the recordings, and that any sharing of the music was done for personal enjoyment and not for commercial purposes.
The lawsuit marks the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of Martin Shkreli and the Wu-Tang Clan album, which has been the subject of fascination and controversy since its sale in 2015. The album, which features contributions from all members of the legendary hip-hop group, was intended to be a unique and exclusive piece of art, with the buyer prohibited from selling or profiting from the music for a period of 88 years.
Shkreli’s purchase of the album drew widespread criticism, with many accusing him of exploiting the Wu-Tang Clan for personal gain. The group themselves expressed regret over the sale, with RZA stating in a 2017 interview, “The sale of the album was agreed upon in the contract, but those terms are now being violated. It is unfortunate that Mr. Shkreli is seeking to exploit the work of artists for his own personal benefit.”
Despite the controversy surrounding the sale, the Wu-Tang Clan has since moved on and released new music, including their critically acclaimed album “The Saga Continues” in 2017. However, the shadow of the Shaolin album continues to loom large, with fans and critics alike wondering what will become of the music now that it is in the hands of a new owner.
As the legal battle over the recordings from the album plays out in court, one thing is clear: the saga of Martin Shkreli and the Wu-Tang Clan album is far from over. Whether Shkreli will be held accountable for his alleged violations of the terms of the sale, or whether the music will remain locked away for another 88 years, remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the story of the one-of-a-kind album and its controversial buyer is one that will continue to captivate and intrigue for years to come.
