I thought the era of copyrights was over and done with. Copy-left, that’s hip!

Well, this is hip-hop. Literally. And we’re looking at — hold your breath — 88 years! Wu-Tang Clan, arguably the world’s greatest hip-hop music collective, is auctioning its secret album, The Wu — Once Upon a Time in Shaolin , through auction house Paddle8. This is the group’s eighth and final album, which is currently stored in a vault in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Wu-Tang Clan took six years to make the 31-track album, which features Game of Thrones actor Carice van Houten and soccer players from Barcelona, among others.

Cool, but why auction it?

There is only one copy of the album — all backups have been destroyed, deliberately. This sole album will be auctioned privately; the winner of the bid will not be allowed to release the album for 88 years.

The buyer can listen to it in privacy but not one single track may be sold or copied.

And what happens after 88 years?

When the copyright expires, it can be released free to the public — that is, only if the album withstands the vagaries of time and the technology to play it is still alive.

But why 88?

According to RZA, the lead force behind Wu, this represents many things.

For one, the collective originally had eight members. It’s also about the company selling the record: it’s the sum of the numerals in the year the record is being sold — 2015. It’s also the symbol for infinity when turned on its side.

That’s quixotic!

Not many would agree. Reports say potential buyers are queuing up already, and the album is estimated to fetch $5 million or more. The final box for the record will include a special book created by a master bookbinder.

The book, which has 174-pages and is leather-bound, contains the liner notes.

Of course, only the owner of the album will get to see the full tracklisting. The silver-and-nickel-plated box and jewel case was designed by British Moroccan artist Yahya.

Why is Wu doing this?

They say it’s all about the immortality of art. In this age of ‘free’, ‘cheap’ and ‘throwaway’, they want to build something that lasts longer; something rare that stands the test of time.

RZA says only the rare has value. And this effort will help people appreciate the real value of art.

Sounds like you’re forcing rarity onto art.

Not exactly. The team thinks it’s like buying an artwork, a painting.

As RZA explains: “When you buy a painting or a sculpture, you’re buying that piece rather than the right to replicate it.” Owning a Picasso doesn’t mean you can sell prints or reproductions, but that you’re the sole owner of a unique original, he says.

And that, to him, is what Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is: “a unique original rather than a master copy of an album”.

Makes sense, well sort of.

Music historians say the music industry has witnessed such seemingly bizarre things earlier as well.

Wu’s attempt is reminiscent of Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty of the iconic British band, The KLF, burning £1 million in August 1994. Drummond said he wanted to “express something about money”!

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