Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon A Time In Shaolin May Be Seized By Feds

There is one authorized copy in existence of Wu-Tang Clan seventh studio album, Once Upon A Time In Shaolin, and soon the Federal Bureau of Investigations may possess it. Following the Thursday (December 17) morning arrest of pharmaceutical mogul Martin Shkreli for securities fraud and other charges, investigators are reportedly looking closer at the 32 year-old’s assets and spending.

OnceUponATimeInShaolin

In May of 2015, the Brooklyn, New York native Shkreli purchased the Wu-Tang Clan album at auction, for a self-reported $2 million. The sale, through a New York City auction house, made the album produced by Cilvaringz, the most expensive CD in history. According to reports by TMZ, if the funds used to buy the work were obtained illegally, Shkreli will lose rights to the specially-packaged compact disc. TMZ also reports that Shkreli is accused of more than $65 million in fraud.

Related: Wu-Tang Clan Album Owner Martin Shkreli Arrested By Federal Agents

Notably, the New York division of the FBI is well-aware of the album made by RZA, GZA, Method Man, and others. Upon Martin Shkreli’s detainment last week, the agency notified the public that they were presently not in possession of the album that is also said to feature Pop superstar Cher:

In addition to the charges against the controversial CEO, Wu-Tang’s RZA has been a vocal critic of Shkreli. Following the identity reveal of the Wu’s album buyer, the Clan founder publicly distanced himself from the man’s business practices, which include escalating the sale of life-saving medication from $13.50 to $750 a capsule.

Related: Wu-Tang Clan’s Millionaire Album Buyer Comes Forth, Just As RZA Distances Himself

Following RZA’s comments, Shkreli told HipHopDX that he would be willing to barter a copy of the Wu album in exchange for a beat. Such a deal would violate an alleged agreement not to publicly share the album for 88 years.

Related: Wu-Tang Clan Album Owner Martin Shkreli Details Conflict With RZA & Issues Warning.

If the FBI does seize the album, and Shkreli is convicted, Once Upon A Time At Shaolin may end up at auction once again.

Has the cache surrounding this album increased its value in the eyes of fans or prospective buyers?

Related: Wu-Tang Clan Album Owner Martin Shkreli Arrested By Federal Agents