Wu-Tang Clan's Secret Album Documentary Hits Netflix October 16
Netflix documentary 'The Disciple' details the creation of Wu-Tang Clan's $2 million album 'Once Upon a Time in Shaolin', recorded secretly from 2007 to 2013.
A new documentary reveals the obsessive creation of Wu-Tang Clan's ultra-exclusive album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. The film, The Disciple, follows Dutch-Moroccan rapper and producer Tarik Azzougarh, known as Cilvaringz, who transformed from a superfan into the album's creator under the mentorship of the RZA. It documents the secret six-year recording of the 31-track double album, which was sold as a single physical copy for $2 million in 2015.
Cilvaringz was pulled on stage by Ol' Dirty Bastard during a Wu-Tang performance, an event that cemented his legacy within the group's inner circle. The documentary traces his decades-long journey from devoted fan to key contributor, exploring the complex dynamics between artist, fan, and the commodification of music.
The album's unprecedented terms
The album was issued as a single copy on a CD encased in filigreed silver layers. Its sale came with extraordinary conditions designed to make it a unique art object. The terms stipulate the album cannot receive a full-length commercial release until the year 2103. It must remain non-commercial for 88 years from its sale. This single-copy sale for $2 million secured the record for the most valuable album ever sold.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Commercial Release Restriction | Prohibited until 2103 |
| Non-commercial Period | 88 years from sale |
| Sale Price (2015) | $2 million |
| Format | Single CD copy in silver box |
| Record Held | Most valuable album ever sold |
Documentary details and release
Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Joanna Natasegara, The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable is her feature directorial debut. The 105-minute documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. It will be available for streaming globally on Netflix starting Friday, October 16. The film is a Netflix production in association with Studio Gebbia, Film4, 36 Cinema, and Sony Music Vision.
Production and legacy
The film frames the album's creation as a radical artistic statement against the disposability of music in the digital era. The RZA, a key figure in the album's creation, serves as an executive producer on the documentary. He stated that the film complements the album's legacy and highlighted Cilvaringz's remarkable journey from fan to contributor. Other executive producers include Joe Gebbia, Jason Ropell, Abazar Khayami, David Kimbangi, Farhana Bhula, Ollie Madden, Trevor Burgess, Gary Hess, and James Costa. Joanna Natasegara worked with producers Abigail Anketell-Jones, Lauren Dark, and Vanessa Kirby.
After Martin Shkreli's 2015 purchase, the album was later acquired by the NFT collective PleasrDao for $4.75 million in 2021. The documentary chronicles this entire journey, focusing on the album's status as a unique cultural artifact. It arrives on Netflix October 16.
