Pharma Exec Martin Shkreli Offers $10 Million to Keep Kanye West’s New Album From You
Looking forward to picking up a copy of Kanye West’s new album “The Life of Pablo”?
That’s too bad, because if Martin Shkreli has his way, you’re out of luck.
Shkreli, the pharmaceutical executive who drew widespread wrath for hiking up the price of HIV medications, is offering $10 million to West to become the sole owner of the album.
Also Read: Hated Drug Exec Martin Shkreli Slapped With Lawsuit Over $2 Million Wu-Tang Clan Album
In a letter to West posted on Shkreli’s Twitter account on Thursday, the pharmaceutical executive wrote, “I am writing to you in hopes of convincing you to withhold the release of your forthcoming studio album. Instead of releasing this product for your millions of fans, I ask you to sell the recording solely to me, for the price of $10 million. I believe you (and your partners) will find this financial arrangement more attractive than your current course of action.”
He added, “Should we agree to general terms, I expect to proceed to an exclusive ‘no-shop’ period where we will consummate a definitive agreement over approximately two weeks.”
Shkreli, who was arrested on fraud charges in December, has a history of hogging music to himself: Last year he purchased the one-of-a-kind Wu-Tang Clan album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” for a cool (or, depending how you look at it, totally-not-cool) $2 million.
Also Read: Martin Shkreli, Hated Pharma Exec, Calls Congress 'Imbeciles' After Taking the Fifth
Earlier this week, the purchase earned Shkreli a lawsuit filed by an artist who claims that his artwork was used without his permission in the album’s packaging.
Here is my initial offer for the album. @kanyewest Thanks for your consideration and I look forward to your response pic.twitter.com/opJ7mlfraK
— Martin Shkreli (@MartinShkreli) February 11, 2016
Related stories from TheWrap:
Hated Drug Exec Martin Shkreli Slapped With Lawsuit Over $2 Million Wu-Tang Clan Album
11 Best Martin Shkreli Memes Mocking His Douchbaggery (Photos)
Watch Wall Street Pariah Martin Shkreli Laugh at Lawmakers During Congressional Hearing (Video)