Wu-Tang Co-Founder Dies at 52
Wu-Tang Clan founding member Oliver "Power" Grant died at 52 after a battle with cancer, confirmed by multiple outlets. The visionary entrepreneur and executive producer's death came just hours after Wu-Tang was nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, adding poignancy to his legacy as "a true fighter until the end."
Oliver "Power" Grant was a key architect of the Wu-Tang Clan's business empire, serving as the executive producer for all of their albums. He was instrumental from the very beginning, helping to finance the group's debut single, "Protect Ya Neck." His most significant venture was Wu Wear, the official clothing line he founded in 1995. Considered one of the first artist-led fashion brands, Wu Wear grew into a cultural phenomenon, at its peak bringing in a reported $25 million in annual revenue and selling in major department stores. Grant's entrepreneurial vision extended beyond fashion. He produced the 1999 PlayStation fighting game *Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style* and took on several acting roles, appearing in films like the 1998 crime drama *Belly* and 1999's *Black and White*. Tributes from the hip-hop world have poured in, with Wu-Tang members expressing their profound loss. GZA stated, "Wu wouldn't have come to fruition without Power," while a grieving Method Man wrote, "Bruh I am not ok." Raekwon honored him as a "5 star General in the army of life." The Wu-Tang Clan's nomination for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is their first appearance on the ballot. They are nominated alongside other first-timers like Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, and Oasis. The final list of inductees is expected to be announced in April.
