In 1997, on Wu-Tang Forever song “Bells of War” RZA infamously quipped that the next Wu-Tang album would come back with a comet in the year 2000. And while 2000’s The W arrived on schedule three years later, there was no moving of any celestial bodies. Since then, additional Wu-Tang albums have arrived with some amount of internal discord attached, and constantly evolving major label recording industry business models have made dividing royalties nine ways a difficult prospect.
RZA and his protégé Cilvaringz may have found a way to simultaneously eliminate both of the above issues. On March 26, Zack O’Malley Greenburg of Forbes.com exclusively reported Wu-Tang Clan would release a single copy of a secret album tentatively titled, The Wu: Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. The album is being presented as a commissioned art piece, with the intention of increasing its cultural cache as well as fetching a nice price from a potential buyer and a subsequent tour.
Wu-Tang Clan fans know the Staten Island, New York collective kicked off their career shrouded in secrecy over 20 years ago. Each member’s face was both masked and cloaked in a dark hood on the front cover of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Perhaps it’s only right the Clan reboot their legacy in a mysterious way. Through various interviews, more details are emerging about The Wu: Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. Here are the most pertinent facts about the Wu-Tang Clan album you may never hear (unless you’re a millionaire or willing to pony up to see the exhibit/tour).
The Album Container Was Handcrafted By British-Moroccan Artist Yahya
According to a press release for his 2013 “Invisible Light” collaborative exhibition with Mehdi Qotbi at Institut du Monde Arabe, Yahya describes himself as a self-taught artist who anchors his work in a particularly demanding ancestral craft of copperware. He specializes in the convergence of Eastern elegance and Western minimalism. In this case, Yahya crafted a silver and nickel box.
“A lot of the things that I do—from palaces…huge architectural things or tiny, intricate things—have been made by hand,” Yahya told Greenburg. “So I couldn’t really work out how we could do something together.”
After being given complete creative freedom and agreeing to sign a confidentiality agreement, it appears Yahya, RZA and Cilvaringz solved the problem
There Is Only One Known Copy In Existence
According to a 2010 study by DailyFinance.com, the average CD price in 2010 was $13.02 compared to $14.04 in 2000. Adjusted for inflation, compact discs were estimated to cost $17.83 in 2010, meaning fans saved roughly 25 percent compared to 14 years ago. What does all this mean? Various factors are driving down the value of commoditized music. Exclusivity is one of the few ways to raise that price.
“It belongs in an art setting, venue, a museum, or a gallery,” RZA explained of the one-off art piece in an April interview with HipHopDX. “It’s as rare as any Picasso, any Van Gogh. It’s as rare—as I said in my article—as finding an Egyptian scepter. It’s as rare as the Mona Lisa. It’s rare, yo. It’s only one.”
The Title Is “The Wu: Once Upon a Time in Shaolin”
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Given the understandably secretive nature of RZA and Cilvaringz’s undertaking, it’s safe to assume either one or both of them came up with this title without putting it to a nine-man group vote.
The Album Clocks In At 128 minutes, 31 Songs
When vinyl was originally en vogue, the average album maxed out at 41 minutes, because that was the maximum length one could fit on an LP without compromising sound quality. With such a high price tag, at least the Wu-Tang Clan’s potential benefactor is getting their money’s worth. Just for comparison’s sake, the longest Wu-Tang Clan album (1997’s double album Wu-Tang Forever) is 112 minutes and six seconds spread across 27 tracks. So someone may potentially be paying millions of dollars for an album slightly longer than Wu-Tang Forever.
RZA Is Positioning The One-Of-A-Kind Album As An Art Piece
As far as concepts go, this one’s a doozy. In order to combat the physical album’s erosion into extinction, RZA and Cilvaringz came up with the idea that this should be a one of a kind object that doubles as an album. As highfalutin’ as that sounds, it may have some merit. Part of what makes art so precious is its exclusivity (an idea that the proliferation of digital music has all but made obsolete) and this may either turn into a final roaring candle flicker before CD’s go lights out, or a jumpstart for how you think about music in general. And, oh yeah, there will most likely be a tour. Stay tuned as to what those ticket prices will be, though.
The Clan Was Not Originally On Board With The Concept
As part of Forbes’ excursion to Marrakech, Cilvaringz spoke briefly on how he tried to explain the concept to the Wu but they didn’t exactly see the vision. Ringz stated, “To every clan member whom I called once the idea was kind of set, it took an hour or more to really break it down. It’s not because they didn’t get it. They got it. But they couldn’t see the greatness of it or the importance of it, rather, until they had the whole picture.” So even the Rap gods themselves couldn’t see the importance of it right away. At least they’re human.
The Album Is Hidden In The Royal Mansour Hotel (For Now)
Fun fact: it’s approximately 3,661 miles from Staten Island, New York to Marrakech, Morocco. On the much less obscure side, major label albums are extremely susceptible to leaks and good, old-fashioned bootlegging. Recent albums released exclusively through Apple’s iTunes such as Jay Z and Kanye West’s Watch the Throne and Beyonce’s recent self-titled visual album have been able to avoid premature leaks. But once they hit torrent sites, thousands of consumers no longer have to bother with the idea of dropping $14 on an album. Extrapolate that problem to a potential multimillion-dollar art piece album, and you begin to understand why The Wu: Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is being kept under lock and key. On another continent.
Add in the fact that International artist, Yahya, revealed that he was hiding the artifact in plain sight at the ultra-swanky Royal Mansour Hotel in Marrakech, Morocco because… of course. The super-wealthy are so used to seeing objects of that calibre that the box has been able to live a fairly quiet life. Though, it’s set to be moved very soon, and considering the secrecy surrounding the project, was probably moved as soon as the story hit. “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing to F’ Wit,” indeed.
Cilvaringz Is The Album’s De-Facto A&R
The album is so secret, and the fear of piracy so intense that Cilvaringz (the albums sole producer and co-inventor) picked all of the beats himself without any input from the rest of the gang. RZA then approved said beats, of course, but then it gets slightly more bizarre. Following the approvals, the rest of the Wu had to lay their verses down to tracks that were similar, but not exactly the same as the one’s that will appear on the record. Seriously, why isn’t Cilvaringz working for a professional clandestine organization?
Even RZA Doesn’t Have A Copy
That’s right. Even Bobby Digital himself was not allowed a final copy of the masterpiece. The only person with access is one Tarik “Cilvaringz” Azzougarh. Not bad for a kid who first met RZA at a concert, where reportedly, his energy was so pure that it caught the genius beatsmith off guard. Fast forward some 17 years and one criminally underrated album later, and he’s the man with the keys to the throne.
Ken Lewis Mixed The Album
With connections to every single major and minor producer on earth, it’s interesting that they’d choose the Watch The Throne alum to mix the album. While he’s well known for his adherence to the rough, gritty soundscape that the Wu were looking for, they could have easily gone with someone who actually made that sound what it was in the ‘90s. Whatever the case, a stellar mix can make or break a project, so let’s hope this whole thing comes up roses… If we even hear it at all, that is.
Omar Burgess is a Long Beach, California native who has contributed to various magazines, newspapers and has been an editor at HipHopDX since 2008. Follow him on Twitter @omarburgess.
Andre Grant is an NYC native turned L.A. transplant who’s contributed to a few different properties on the web and is now the Senior Features Writer for HipHopDX. He’s also trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot. Follow him on Twitter @drejones.
RELATED: Wu-Tang Clan – “The Wu-Once Upon A Time In Shaolin Unreleased Album Snippet” [Single]
Imma cop it when it eventually comes out on torrents.
thats why it wont come out u think some one who pays millions of dollars is gonna leak it
No, but if the files are on Cilvarings computer then there’s a good chance someone will leak it.
im gonna buy it and mass produce it for sale on cd, vinyl, itunes and tape cassette.
HHDX is gettin lamer with every month…10 facts you may never hear? Like the title, the fact that there is only 1 copy? How is that not the most common information possible smh
Please shut the actual fuck up. If you have a complaint, write us on Facebook or Twitter.
Haha! Look at the DX staff turn themselves into 11 year olds when someone says something that’s true. Maybe it’s time to take true comments as constructive criticism for your articles rather than stoop to the level of a troll. Grow up
Hey, fuck you DX staff right in your actual butthole
Constructive criticism my fucking ass! That’s straight up rudeness. Every single day, we have to deal with people jumping down our throats and calling out every little misspelling, paragraph length, so-called bad reviews, etc. If you clowns believe that you can do a better job than, by all means, be our guest. Create your own hip hop website and let’s see how well you do, but we highly doubt you’ll become successful.
Lol! Dude is an idiot! It’s says 10 facts about the album you may never hear. Not ’10 facts you may never hear about the album.’ He gassed off about some shit that manifested from his own ignorance! Classic online shit! Maybe if he were one of those 40 yr. olds everyone’s talking about, he’d be smart enough to understand what he’s reading.
Lol Justin is a moron, the complaint is identical regardless of the fact he incorrectly rewrote the title
As much as I love the Wu…this is just too much. Maybe if it was a double lp of all the tracks Rza lost in that flood it’d be a one of a kind, work of art type deal. But an album made by a bunch of 40+ year old Wu members when all the music they’ve released recently has been at worst average and at best decent…sorry this idea just seems dumb. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it after it gets leaked somehow.
Well said, however, it’s an excellent concept. The question is whether their fan base, which includes many 40-plus year olds will support the tour/presentation of the album. As a huge Wu fan, my main concern is the quality of the music. If these were RZA tracks, I’d be hyped, but I’m not sold on Cilvarings. I’d love to hear those flood damaged tracks.
Well swing as how the album was made in 99 and not recently, I am pretty interested in seeing how much it sells for. But it was not made by them recently because there is no way that it would not have been leaked some how. The guy in the video says that it was made before Wu forever.
Come Like My Page 4 Real Hip Hop MUSIC—>>>facebook.com/mgilla3620
thx 4 the SUPPORT!!
Facebook is for fraggle niggas
I actually have a lot of beats from what i now think of is the ‘Once Upon a Time in Shaolin’ album. That snippet of 51 seconds? I have a longer version of approximately 1:49 minutes. I downloaded a file way back in 2010 called “The Wu-Tang Beat Sessions” it contains of 21 beats an intro and an outro. The beats have no name, they only have numbers. Oh yeah, and they’re great btw!
Where can i find this?
There was a Youtube video called Cilvaringz beat session or something like that. He was showing off his “Wu-sounding beats”. They were dope. Now, mysteriously, it doesn’t show up.
WHY????
why go this route. It was cute at first, now just annoying.
Another fact: wu consist of old lame ass rappers who still think its 1993. They still are pimps and cook crack. How lame if you are 44 years old.
Ask Jay-Z
this is just promo for the album u will actually get to hear
its all about Chicago rappers now
I ALREADY KNEW ALL THESE THINGS FROM THE PREVIOUS ARTICLES… ALL YOU DID WAS A COLLAGE OF THE PREVIOUS ARTICLES YOU POSTED.
My last pay check was $9500 working 12 hours a week online. My neighbour’s sister has been averaging 15k for months now and she works about 20 hours a week. I can’t believe how easy it was once I tried it out.
////
This is what I do,,,,,,,,,
=======================================
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://WWW.JOBS75.COM
=======================================
GO TO THE SITE FOR MORE INFO AND HELP………..
why would anyone care if we’re not going to get to hear it. stop teasing us rza.
nobody cares about the WU anymore, its 2014 not 1994. LOLL
I hate to say this, cause I love The Wu’s stuff from the 90’s, but you’re right. They don’t make interesting music anymore. And haven’t for a long time now.
My last pay check was $9500 working 12 hours a week online. My neighbour’s sister has been averaging 15k for months now and she works about 20 hours a week. I can’t believe how easy it was once I tried it out.
////
This is what I do,,,,,,,,,
=======================================
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> slamwork.com
=======================================
GO TO THE SITE FOR MORE INFO AND HELP………………
Wu-Tang members are boring rappers and don’t really have that much skill when it comes to rhyme schemes. Rza’s production sounds choppy and outdated
What a bunch of fruitballs on here man. First of all the idea is fucking genius!!!!!!! Nobody could have executed this idea unless it was wutang!!!!! Imagine if it was drake’s faggot ass pulling this stunt, or eminem.. wouldnt have worked!!!!!!!! it’s only working because it’s the Wu, they get away with freaky zeeky shit like this. How’s that for relevance?????? the whole world fucking talking about this shit. im seeing this shit pop up left and right all over the TV, serious programs and magazines like Time and shit. Shit is everywhere. i still believe this shit will eventually leak dough but niggaz is doing it hard and kanye is definitely upset somewhere hahahahaha
Say what you want about the wu being relevant or not, outdated or whatever, decks verse on Triumph is the sickest verse of all time, I dare any of you fucks to name a better verse
Every single LLMATIC verse is better :p
just because they arent talked about anymore doesnt take away the fact that they invented one of the greatest styles of hip hop, if they didnt do it your fag boy drake would still be wheelchair jimmy on degrassi
@XcX
mfw this leaks
Relevant? That cry baby Drake named a song after them. Kanye enlisted Raekwon and RZA both for his last albums, and not to forget Ghost as well. Then Kanye and Jay enlist RZA for a beat on Watch The Throne. Rae’s still poppin on major niggaz songs here and there. Bitches all over instgram rocking their logo. And any announcement they make about this album becomes world news! I even seen Jimmy Fallon joke about the shit a few days ago. Relevant? Whats your measure? Hot97? F outtah here! Wu-Tang is forever and they got the world’s attention. Suuuuu
meanwhile nobody talking bout 50’s new record lol
Except you, just now dickhead!
Why is the Wu infatuated with Morocco now???
This album comes with humus and chilli sauce and for an extra $3 you get chips and a drink… is nice i like.
Interesting concept but Cilvaringz sucks, hes just a Wu fan boy. Almost as bad as that clown M-80. How you gonna have a Wu album thats not produced by RZA?!?!?
That box is insane tho!
This is a joke I hope somebody steals it lol
I hope the 1 owner will leak it.
this is a great idea a good way to snub you stuck up kids who don’t even know hip hop i love wu and i don’t mind if i hear it or not great idea and sacrifice to keep real hip hop alive FOREVER when u kids grow up you may get even now after 20 years the wu will destroy and rapper currently running the air waves
rza has been ahead of his time..i think I seen an interview where he had an idea a decade ago and got laughed at but now its all over..cant remember what though
hes smart AF. and rza not having a copy? doubt thatlol no way the wu members don’t gotta copy of it but if I bought it for 5 mill I would have each member sign a contract stating if even 1 song is leaked without his permission he gets all his money back and the CD.
wasnt sold on the idea nor cilvarings for that matter but my boy just played me some of his beats and if this is the style he bringing to this album, then lord have mercy. Still dont like the idea though, music is for the free folk!
If rza aint make the beats, it’s not Wu. Fuck outta here
I’m bitter about this.