BENJAMIN LAMB

“Clause and Effect” explores the mythology of Wu-Tang Clan’s album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin”, of which only one copy was produced, and subsequently auctioned to the highest bidder. The winner of the auction was notorious Pharma-bro Martin Shkreli, who purchased the copy for $2m. The album came with a variety of clauses restricting its use and public accessibility. The idea of a single copy existing of an item that would normally find its value through massive copying and distribution was a fascinating study in scarcity and value, something that the nature of NFT’s addresses and accommodates.

At the time this transaction took place, it was widely rumored that part of the contract included a clause allowing for the retrieval of said album by “a caper or heist involving one or more members of the Wu Tang Clan and/or Bill Murray”. While this contractual element turned out to be a hoax, the visualization of such a caper proved irresistible for thousands of giddy fans (your humble artist included), and it even inspired a musical.

“Clause and Effect” illustrates just how a heist of this nature would have possibly gone down, with Murray leading the charge, and RZA backing him up on the ladder. Shkreli is non-plussed by the actions, while Doge (of internet fame and the namesake for cryptocurrency Dogecoin) keeps an eye on things.