Martin Shkreli Auctions Unreleased Wu-Tang Album

Will we actually be able to hear the fabled project?

Hip Hop has faced several enemies over the years: gentrification, police, disenfranchisement, and most recently, Martin Shkreli—not only a Hip Hop enemy, but an enemy of humanity.

The businessman—known for his work in pharmaceuticals and hedge funds—has been deemed inhumane due to his imposed price increase on necessary pharmacological agents; he increased an HIV pill price from $13.50 to $750 overnight. Being a greedy, inconsiderate, self-interested executive comes equipped with a deserved amount of hate and resentment, but it also comes with a fat bottomline. Shkreli’s pockets are so deep that he was able to buy the fabled unreleased Wu-Tang album for $2MM two-years ago. Now, he’s putting the legendary group’s album back on the market.

Contrary to his deserved negative public image, Shkreli seems like he’s trying to make amends with the music community—and people in general. He claimed that he will be donating half of the proceeds to medical research, and was quoted saying, “I am not selling to raise cash–my companies and I have record amounts of cash on hand. I hope someone with a bigger heart for music can be found for this one-of-a-kind piece and makes it available for the world to hear.” Shkreli listed the album on eBay at $1, and within an hour the bidding increased to $55k across 100 offers.

Since he’s facing a potential 20-year securities fraud prison sentence, perhaps he’s trying to turn over a new leaf and positively pivot his disastrous self-inflicted narrative. While doubtful, at least this extremely rare piece of work has the potential of being returned to genuine Hip Hop fans who will appreciate the artistry of the Wu-Tang Clan.