Founding Wu-Tang Clan member Oliver ‘Power’ Grant has died aged 52

New York producer and founding Wu-Tang Clan member Oliver ‘Power’ Grant has died aged 52, the hip hop group has confirmed.

The news was shared by Wu-Tang Clan on Instagram yesterday (February 25), alongside the caption: “Rest in Power, Power”. No cause of death has been confirmed.

Tributes are now flooding in for the late musician, whose career began as a clothing mogul in the ‘90s, later finding success as a close associate of the legendary hip hop group.

“We couldn’t have done it without him,” Wu-Tang’s GZA wrote in tribute. “Wu wouldn’t have come to fruition without Power. His passing is a profound loss to us all. My deepest condolences to the fam.”

Growing up in Staten Island, New York, Grant backed the early ventures of Wu-Tang Clan with a large investment into the project, and in 1995, launched Wu Wear, tipped as one of the very first artist-inspired clothing lines.

As the group found success, the clothing line expanded and allowed Grant to open a store in Staten Island where they grew up, an office in Manhattan, and further stores across the US, reaching annual revenues of over $25 million during the heights of their fame.

Grant also executive produced every one of the group’s albums, and helped to develop and produce music for their now legendary 3D fighting video game Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style.

“POWER we been everywhere… now you everywhere! The most high is merciful, love you,” Raekwon said in tribute on Instagram, while Method Man wrote: “Paradise my Brother safe travels.”

Read some more tributes below.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Associate Digital Editor, follow her on X