Once Upon a Time in Shaolin
Wu-Tang Clan · 2014
110 min · 26 tracks · gangsta rap · hardcore hip-hop · East Coast hip-hop
A bold artistic statement layered with immersive narratives and experimental soundscapes reflecting Wu-Tang's legacy.
Why listen to this
- Best for
- long, immersive listening sessions dynamic emotional journeys atmospheric background focus
- Context
- Released on January 1, 2014, 'Once Upon a Time in Shaolin' marked Wu-Tang Clan's first album since '8 Diagrams' in 2007. This unique project was created as a single-copy album, positioned thematically amidst the group's exploration of art as both a commercial and cultural artifact, highlighting their innovative approach to music distribution.
- If you like
- gangsta rap, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is an album by Wu-Tang Clan, released in 2014. A bold artistic statement layered with immersive narratives and experimental soundscapes reflecting Wu-Tang's legacy. This album gained notoriety for its exclusivity and the controversial decision to sell it as a one-of-a-kind piece of art, encapsulating Wu-Tang's ethos while challenging traditional music distribution models. It sparked discussions around ownership and value in art, leading to significant media coverage and critical debate about the implications of such a release. Here's what makes it worth your time and what to listen to next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Once Upon a Time in Shaolin sound like?
A bold artistic statement layered with immersive narratives and experimental soundscapes reflecting Wu-Tang's legacy. Rooted in gangsta rap and hardcore hip-hop.
What makes Once Upon a Time in Shaolin by Wu-Tang Clan notable?
This album gained notoriety for its exclusivity and the controversial decision to sell it as a one-of-a-kind piece of art, encapsulating Wu-Tang's ethos while challenging traditional music distribution models. It sparked discussions around ownership and value in art, leading to significant media coverage and critical debate about the implications of such a release. Released on January 1, 2014, 'Once Upon a Time in Shaolin' marked Wu-Tang Clan's first album since '8 Diagrams' in 2007. This unique project was created as a single-copy album, positioned thematically amidst the group's exploration of art as both a commercial and cultural artifact, highlighting their innovative approach to music distribution.
Who is Once Upon a Time in Shaolin for?
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and atmospheric background focus.
How many songs are on Once Upon a Time in Shaolin?
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin has 26 tracks, running approximately 110 minutes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Entrance (intro) 1:57
- 2 Rivals 4:12
- 3 Staple Town Pt. 1 (interlude) 0:44
- 4 Ethiopia Standout 7:55
- 5 Handkerchief 0:49
- 6 Staple Town Pt. 2 (interlude) 1:10
- 7 The Pillage of ’88 Standout 6:52
- 8 Centipedes 7:14
- 9 The Widow’s Tear 3:55
- 10 Sorrow 5:45
Disc 2
- 1 Sustenance (intro) 0:43
- 2 Lions Standout 6:08
- 3 Since Time Immemorial 2:32
- 4 The Slaughter Mill 6:31
- 5 The Brute 3:24
- 6 Iqra 7:23
- 7 Flowers 5:49
- 8 Poisoned Earth 4:34
- 9 Shaolin 6:14
- 10 Freedom (interlude) 2:25
- 11 The Sword Chamber 4:05
- 12 Unique 2:32
- 13 The Bloody Page 5:09
- 14 The Saga Continuous 6:58
- 15 Salaam (outro) 1:31
- 16 Shaolin Soul (Exit) 3:41
Release Date
January 1, 2014
Artist Origin
United States
Runtime
110 min 12 sec
Learn More
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.