Following news that Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album may not be released for 88 years, members of the Staten Island, New York-based group have come forward to offer their thoughts on the lengthy, commercial hold on the project.
Method Man referred to the hold as “stupid,” and during a newly-released interview with AllHipHop.com, Masta Killa defended the idea.
While speaking on the commercial hold, Masta Killa spoke on the value in exclusivity as well as music being devalued as an art in today’s society.
“I think the only way to establish value in something is for it to be exclusive,” Masta Kill said. “That’s the whole point that I gathered for that particular piece of art. Music is also art, but it’s been devalued because of how it’s looked at now in the industry. Unless you’re positioned a certain way, you’re art’s value – for everything that you pour into to make what you make – is not the real value. The compensation artists now receive for their art is basically nothing. So the only way to establish that value is to be exclusive with something. If I’m not going to be exclusive with it, then what’s going to make this piece of art any different than any other album that you can go buy?”
During his interview, the New York City wordsmith also spoke on his contributions to Once Upon A Time In Shaolin. According to Masta Killa, he contributed verses to four tracks for the album.
“I was sent four tracks,” he said. “For each track, I was given a direction. ‘I need two 8s. On this one I need one 16. On this one I need four 4 bars. I need this done by a certain amount of time.’ That’s how I got the instruction for that project. At that time, I didn’t know this was what it would become. That’s what was asked of me, so that’s what I did. I haven’t heard anything since that time.”
At the top of this month, RZA and producer Tarik “Cilvaringz” Azzourgarh announced that Once Upon A Time In Shaolin may possibly be released to the public after 88 years, during an interview with SCLUZAY.
“Anyone who knows the Wu-Tang Clan knows that we often apply numerology, mathematics and symbolism to the things we do,” RZA said while speaking on the significance of the number 88. “There were 8 original members of the Clan when we made ‘Protect Ya Neck’ and ‘M.E.T.H.O.D Man.’ The individual numbers of this year also add up to the number 8. The broker of this work carries the number 8 in its name. The number 8 on its side is a symbol of infinity, as it was used on our album ‘Wu-Tang Forever’. You can call it mathematical coincidence, but it’s always had great symbolic significance for us.”
For additional Method Man coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
Will Wu-Fans exist after 88 years (and don’t tell me wutang is forever douchebag). That’s like somebody making an album in 1927 and it gets released this year. Who the fuck will listen to that artist? Or will they even know they exist?
Wu-Tang is forever!
agreed, it is a total waste of time, in 88 years it will be meaningless and have no value other than a “wow why did they do this? how weird?”
Actually, Wu Tang Clan is a critically acclaimed historically significant rap group. I think people will still listen to Wu Tang or at least appreciate their importance 100 years from now. Its kind of a cool idea,
Wu-Tang is here forever, mothafuckas!
Hip Hop and gangster rap are new art forms, that will probably last a long time. Wu Tang played a key role in the birth of new school Hip Hop and the creation of gangster rap. Also, if an important musician from 1927 did what Wu Tang is doing, I think it would be all over the news. Maybe Hip Hop fans wouldn’t buy it, but a lot of other people would.
Just call Oprah aready, RZA. & if that doesn’t work, put it out as the soundtrack for The Iron Fist Man joint.
you live in a world with priceless art from centuries ago all around you but you just cannot understand this concept. are beethoven’s fans still around to hear his music? are shakespeare’s fan base still around? grow up kids
It sad that the fans that helped make Wu-tang famous by supporting them in the past will not even be alive to listen to this album. Even I who am only 21 won’t be alive in 88 years and if by some miricle I am won’t even remember who Wu-tang is because id be old as shit. It’s a slap to the face of day one fans I guess my grand kids will be able to enjoy it though if they even care about wu-tang when it comes out.
the idea itself is not horrible and could have some legs. the real tragedy is that they released a better tomorrow commercially instead of this
What he said in that article is indicative of what the Wu’s problem is, he said, and I’m paraphrasing, “They sent me the verses and told me what direction to go, 8 bars on this one, 16 bars on this one”. For a group who’s main ingredient is good chemistry, there’s no way they can make great music like this. They don’t understand that you can to be in the studio TOGETHER if you’re gonna be united, and if you’re gonna make music organically. Cutting and pasting verses makes it sound unnatural and stiff.
plenty of classic music has been done w/o all being in the studio at the same time you just don’t get it because you ain’t there
Madlib & J Dilla’s Champion Sound, for instance.
U idiots dont get it right? it means the buyer has to give it away for free!!! smh
Best comment I’ve read since the 88 years news broke.
I hear Masta Dildo takes it up the ass by bobby digital.