UPDATED: Method Man thinks it’s stupid to keep that Wu-Tang album secret for 88 years
When the RZA announced plans to auction off the single-edition Wu-Tang album Once Upon A Time In Shaolin for several million dollars, his Wu-brethren kept their mouths shut. Then it was clarified that the sale included stipulations withholding commercial distribution rights for 88 years. And that’s when Method Man asked to get off the crazy bus.
Asked about the auction’s fine print in an interview with XXL, Method Man appropriately responded, “What do you mean, 88 years?” Presumably the interviewer then had to slowly walk Method Man through all of the weird turns this story has taken, including the batshit-crazy numerology that the RZA baked into the specific span of time that limits copyright control.
“Fuck that album,” Method Man replied, echoing a sentiment likely shared by every Wu-Tang member, affiliate, casual fan, and anyone who understands how money works. “I’m tired of this shit and I know everybody else is tired of it, too,” Meth added.
Method Man stated that he had no problem with selling a single-issue album for millions of dollars, clarifying, “I dug the whole idea in the beginning. I’m like, ‘Wow, this has never been done before.’” He then pointed out the main issue with hoarding music until 42 years after the next time Halley’s comet passes by Earth. “By that time, it’s going to be fuckin’ played out,” he complained, charitably overlooking the fact that maybe there should be a nine-decade moratorium on any new Wu-Tang albums.
Method Man followed up with a scoop on music that will be released this century; he shared that his next solo work, Methlab, is “in the works” and will feature non-Wu-Tang artists from Staten Island. In non-music news, Method Man is making the rounds to promote his upcoming film, The Cobbler.
UPDATE: In response to Method Man’s umbrage and the wrath of the Internet, the RZA has turned to Twitter, the universal salve of the Internet, to lower tensions. In a flurry of tweets, RZA “clarified” a number of issues, including the intent of the clause and the reaction of fans who clearly don’t understand what they’re upset about. Some of RZA’s tweets are embedded below.