The metaverse could be explained as a 3D model of the internet - a digital, virtual space. Early, more modern-day iterations of the metaverse are the Sims video game released by Electronic Arts in 2000, and Ready Player One, a science fiction novel released in 2011 (a motion picture based on the novel was released in 2018).The wildly popular video game Fortnite  with its 3D environments is another example of the metaverse. The term metaverse was first coined in Neal Stephenson’s 1992 novel Snow Crash and it referenced a 3D virtual world inhabited by avatars of actual people. The word metaverse is largely interchangeable with cyberspace, and Facebook; the social media platform which recently underwent a name change to simply Meta is defined by founder Mark Zuckerberg as: “A virtual world where people can socialize, work and play without physically being in the same place.”

In the summer of 1997, the music world was anxiously awaiting the sophomore double album by The Wu-Tang Clan – Wu-Tang Forever. The album promised to be the biggest in the genre, with the most expensive Hip-Hop video at the time: “Triumph” which was the albums lead single. The CD format of the album included an enhanced cd for disc one. This CD included a link to the official Wu-Tang website, 50 free hours of the America Online internet browser and email service and a link to install Quicktime software to enter the "Wu Mansion." 1997 represents the earliest days of the internet, when there was no such thing as high speed internet and many households didn’t have internet access at all. Because the smartphone had not been invented , you could only access this content at home with a computer, equipped with a CD Rom player.

The Wu Mansion is an early form of the metaverse, at a time when the internet was still known as the “information super highway”. At a time when most musicians didn’t even have official websites, the Wu Mansion was a three-level structure with rooms representing all members of the Wu-Tang. The top two floors were like a museum with swords, axes and other weapons adorning the walls, while the other floors took on the look of a futuristic spaceship, with television monitors displaying each member’s bio and a short video clip. After visiting all eight floors, users were able to access a basement where they could manipulate RZA’s audio visual console. On the console there were video clips exclusive to the enhanced cd that could be accessed after acquiring a special code.

Though the technology may seem rudimentary today, one must remember, there was no YouTube, social media or smartphone technology at this time. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was twelve years old and the internet was in its infancy. The fact that the user had to download special software and plug ins to access the technology on this double CD is a testament the level of forward thinking that was applied to this project. Snoop Dogg and a few other Hip-Hop artists have dipped their toes into the waters of the metaverse, and they are right on time. The Wu were far ahead of their time.

The direct to consumer marketing contained within the Wu-Tang Forever CD inserts was also next level. The Wu had established their Wu Wear clothing line years before this album, but the order form and pictures of available hoodies and assorted t shirts and accessories was brilliant marketing. In addition to offering Wu Wear, several Wu-Tang members had "900 numbers" that you could call and hear a message from various members for a small charge. Even though the Fresh Prince was extremely successful with his 900 number almost a decade previous, this was again great marketing, especially given the anticipation for the album and the fervor surrounding it. 25 years later Wu-Tang Forever remains groundbreaking on several levels.