Wu-Tang Clan Founding Member Oliver 'Power' Grant Passes Away at 52
Oliver 'Power' Grant, the business strategist and early architect instrumental in the rise of the Wu-Tang Clan, has died at the age of 52. News of his passing was confirmed on Tuesday, though the cause of death remains undisclosed. Grant, a childhood friend of Wu-Tang founder RZA, played a crucial role in transforming the Staten Island collective from a group of talented MCs into one of hip-hop's most influential and commercially successful entities.
The Man Behind the Scenes
While rarely in the spotlight, Grant's influence permeated every business decision that reshaped the rap industry in the 1990s. Known simply as 'Power,' his nickname derived from the teachings of the Five-Percent Nation, specifically Supreme Mathematics, where the number five symbolizes power. Although not an official performing member, he was widely regarded as the group's business backbone during its formative years, helping to broker key deals that expanded the Clan's reach beyond music into fashion, film, and merchandising.
Tributes from the Hip-Hop Community
Within hours of the announcement, tributes flooded in from Wu-Tang members and the broader hip-hop world. Method Man shared a photograph on Instagram with the caption: "Paradise my Brother safe Travels!! #pookie #power Bruh I am not ok ... ." RZA marked the loss with a stark black square post, accompanied by Boyz II Men's song It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday, and a solitary '5' in the caption, referencing the Supreme Mathematics principle that inspired Grant's moniker. Raekwon added his own heartfelt message: 'POWER we been everywhere .... now you everywhere ! the most high is merciful love you.'
Early Life and Legacy
Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Grant grew up alongside RZA in the Park Hill projects, an environment later mythologized in Wu-Tang lore. In the early 1990s, as the group prepared to release their landmark debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Grant advocated for a then-unorthodox strategy: allowing individual members to sign solo deals with different record labels while remaining united as a group. This move significantly shaped hip-hop's future, leading to platinum solo releases by artists like Method Man, Raekwon, and Ol' Dirty Bastard, and cementing Wu-Tang's cultural dominance.
Grant also served as an executive producer on several Wu-affiliated projects, further solidifying his legacy as a visionary in the music industry. His foresight and strategic acumen left an indelible mark on hip-hop, ensuring the Wu-Tang Clan's enduring influence and commercial success.
