Oliver “Power” Grant, a founding member of the legendary hip-hop group the Wu-Tang Clan, has died. He was 52.
Fellow Wu-Tang member Method Man confirmed Grant’s devastating passing in a touching Instagram post on Tuesday.
“Paradise my Brother safe Travels!!” Method Man, 54, wrote alongside a photo of the pair.
Oliver “Power” Grant (seen here in New York City in September 2019) has died at the age of 52. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Fellow Wu-Tang member Method Man confirmed that Grant (pictured here with Mitchell Diggs in New York City in September 2019) died in an Instagram post on Tuesday. Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
Grant’s death was also announced on Instagram by the hip-hop music site Okayplayer. He reportedly died on Feb. 23, although no cause of death has been announced.
“A driving force behind one of hip-hop’s most influential movements, Power helped build a global legacy rooted in independence, ownership and culture,” Okayplayer’s post began. “His belief in creative control and community empowerment helped shape not only a group, but a dynasty that changed music forever.
“His impact will live on through the culture he helped elevate and the countless lives he inspired,” the site added.
A rep for the Wu-Tang Clan did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Grant (seen here in New York City in September 2019) reportedly died on Feb. 23. WireImage
A cause of death for the late Wu-Tang Clan co-founder (pictured here with Diggs and Johnell Young in New York City in September 2019) has not been announced. Getty Images for Hulu
Born in Jamaica on Nov. 3, 1973, Grant later moved to New York City and grew up in Staten Island alongside key Wu-Tang members RZA, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa and Cappadonna.
The late hip-hop associate went on to executive produce all of the storied rap crew’s records, as well as create the popular Wu Wear clothing line.
“My crew had plenty of skeptics, doubters, and non-believers,” Grant said in 2011 regarding the Wu Wear clothing line and how it helped solidify the Wu-Tang brand.
“It wasn’t anything personal, but I’d say that everyone is an individual and they didn’t really understand what I was doing or what I was initially trying to get across, or where I was coming from,” he added at the time.
Grant (seen here in New York City in October 2019) was born in Jamaica but later moved to Staten Island. Philey Sanneh/BFA.com/Shutterstock
The Wu Wear founder (seen here with a friend in New York City in October 2019) grew up in Staten Island alongside several key Wu-Tang members. Philey Sanneh/BFA.com/Shutterstock
Beyond his work with Wu-Tang from the group’s formation in 1992 until his death, Grant was also an actor who starred in “Belly” alongside Method Man in 1998 and “Black and White” the following year.
Other Wu-Tang members to pay tribute to their late producer included RZA, GZA and Raekwon.
“We couldn’t have done it without him,” GZA, 59, wrote on Instagram Tuesday alongside four photos of Grant. “Wu wouldn’t have come to fruition without Power. His passing is a profound loss to us all. My deepest condolences to the fam.”
Several Wu-Tang members paid tribute to Grant (seen here with RZA and Fat Joe in New York City in March 2022) on social media. WireImage
The late Wu-Tang executive producer (seen here with Steve Rifkind in New York City in March 2022) worked with Wu-Tang from the rap group’s formation in 1992 until his death. WireImage
“POWER we been everywhere … Now you everywhere!” Raekwon, 56, added in his own post alongside a pic of Grant and Wu-Tang. “The most high is merciful. I love you.”
Grant, who was instrumental in the success of Wu-Tang’s debut album “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” in 1993, opened up about the group’s early years in his interview with Passion of the Weiss.
“Everything that we learned was hard-knock life, you figure it out as you go along, and take cues from those that are actively doing things,” he told the outlet in 2011. “A lot of it was trial and error.”
