The (presumably) true story behind the (hugely failed) stunt that turned into one of the weirdest news events in pop-culture history. By David Marchese
THE SAGA of the Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album, which unfolded in 2015, seemed both too good to be true and too good to ignore. There was the outlandish conceit: The iconic rap group had recorded an entire new album, of which it was producing only a single copy. There was the over-the-top villain: pharma-industry gremlin Martin Shkreli, who, in what appeared to be a trolling act of conspicuous consumption, bought the copy of the album for a reported $2 million (the exact number has never been officially confirmed) in order to hoard it for himself. And there was the whiff of illicit high jinks: A rumored clause in the sale contract suggested that the Clan (or, weirdly, Bill Murray) could legitimately retrieve the album from Shkreli if they managed to nab it from him in a heist. (Because of course there has to be a Bill Murray angle.) As with all too-good-to-be-true stories, this one turned out to be part truth, part rumor, part hoax, and all ridiculous.
This story is from the July 10–23, 2017 edition of New York magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 10–23, 2017 edition of New York magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Good One: Ramy Youssef
The comedian on the first Israel-Palestine joke he wrote after 10/7.
Not Your Average Heartthrob
Nicholas Galitzine can play himbo, Prince Charming, and Gen-Z queer iconsometimes all at once. Now, he's coming
Northern Mexico, Just Below Canal
Corima has potential-and excellent tortillas
A Tree House for Two Architects
Phu Hoang and Rachely Rotem built the indoor-outdoor \"Mini Tower One\" extension of their Carroll Gardens home.
THE ERIC ADAMS SMASH - AND - GRAB
It's a brazenly transactional era of government here in New York City.| FRANK CARONE is its master practitioner.
JEFF ZUCKER'S FLEET STREET MISADVENTURE
The former CNN and NBC boss wants a new media empire. Is that even possible in 2024?
MECHANISMS of CONTROL
Andrew Huberman has attracted millions of acolytes by preaching self-discipline and healthy lifestyle habits. But those closest to him suggest there is a darker side to his appeal.
Streetscape: Mark Jacobson
Charging Ahead Baruch Herzfeld wants to end the rash of e-bike battery fires.
461 MINUTES WITH...Hanif Abdurraqib
The MacArthur-grant winner's unclassifiable new book is as idiosyncratic as the author himself.
Neighborhood News: The 'SNL' Guys' Ferry Isn't Adrift
Colin Jost and Pete Davidson's architect has a real plan.