Oliver “Power” Grant, founder of the Wu-Tang Clan and founder of the influential Wu Wear clothing line, died on February 23. He passed away at the age of 52. The cause of death has not been disclosed at the time of this writing.
His death was confirmed by Klan core member Method Man, who paid tribute to him on Instagram. Metz and Power co-starred in the 1998 film stomach And in 1999 film black and white.
“Paradise my brother travels safely!!💔💔🤬 #Pookie #Power,” she wrote alongside a photo of the two men.
Although not a performing member, Grant, popularly known as “Power,” shaped the group’s commercial rise in the 1990s. Born in Jamaica and raised in New York, he was an early supporter of the Staten Island Collective, formed around the vision of RZA and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
As the group prepared to release their 1993 debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Mr. Grant helped secure studio access and financial support. He worked to create a business infrastructure that allowed the Klan to maintain unusual influence over recording contracts.
He then founded Wu Wear, one of hip-hop’s first artist-owned streetwear brands. Founded in the mid-1990s, the label has grown into a global company with retail locations in New York and Los Angeles.
At its peak, Wu Wear generated sales of tens of millions of dollars a year and helped establish the template for musician-led fashion ventures. Wu Wear was sold in department stores across the country in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Rest In Peace, Wu-Tang Clan’s Oliver “Power” Grant, Rapper Method Man Reacts
Power also served as manager and executive producer on several Wu-Tang related projects, expanding the brand into touring, film, and merchandising. His work translated the group’s raw lyricism into a sustainable enterprise.
Although internal disputes and legal conflicts occasionally surfaced within Wu-Tang’s expanded business network, Mr. Grant remained a strong presence.
In an industry where the spotlight often falls on performers, Oliver “Power” Grant was standing behind the curtain. His mark on hip-hop commerce remains in the blueprint he helped design.