Oliver Grant, hip hop entrepreneur who was better known as ‘Power,’ passed away on Monday, February 23. Grant was known as the founder of Wu-Tang Clan- a pioneering hip hop group founded in New York City in the 1990s. Power was 52 years old.
His death was announced on social media by Wu-Tang Clan member, Method Man, whose real name is Clifford Smith Jr. As of now, the cause of Oliver ‘Power’ Grant’s death was not revealed. A statement from his family is also pending.
“Paradise my Brother safe Travels!! 💔💔🤬 #pookie #power Bruh I am not ok .. 🌧️,” Method Man wrote on Instagram and shared a photo of himself with Power.
Here’s the post:
Who Was Oliver ‘Power’ Grant?
Born on November 3, 1973, Oliver ‘Power’ Grant grew up in New York City’s Staten Island neighborhood. He and the other members of the Wu-Tang Clan group were from the Park Hill projects in Staten Island. He was not an artist and his role with Wu-Tang Clan mostly entailed commercial responsibilities. He later branched out to fashion, founding the Wu Wear hip hop streetwear brand.
Grant executive produced all Wu-Tang Clan albums and co-founded Wu-Tang Productions. In 1995, Grant launched Wu Wear, one of hip-hop’s first artist-led clothing lines.
Starting from mail orders, it expanded to stores in Staten Island and Manhattan, reaching retailers like Macy’s and generating over $25 million annually at its peak.
He also produced 1999 PlayStation game ‘Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style.’
Tributes Pour In For Power
Social media paid tribute to one of New York City’s iconic hip hop figures with heartfelt posts and obituaries.
“Rest in Peace to Oliver ‘Power’ Grant The man who funded Wu Tang Clan,” one fan wrote. “Played ‘Knowledge’ in Belly and ‘Rich Bauer’ in ‘Black & White’ “Mourning people isn’t really my thing but this f***** me up. I’ll never forget he visited my crib and we talked for hours and we took this photo.”
“RIP Power from Wu.. the financier of rap’s greatest empire. Without him we don’t get 36 Chambers or anything after,” said another.
“RIP Power The legendary co-founder of Wu-Tang Clan and so much more…,” said one.
“RIP Power, met him on the set of Thought It Was A Drought, he brought us some crazy Wu-Wear leather jackets for the shoot,” wrote another.
There were thousands of such similar posts on X and Facebook as fans remembered Power.
