Founding Wu-Tang Clan Member Dies at 52

The Wu-Tang family is grieving.

Oliver “Power” Grant, a founding member and behind-the-scenes architect of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, has died at 52. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed.

The heartbreaking news was first shared by fellow Wu-Tang member Method Man, who took to Instagram with a raw and emotional tribute.

“Paradise my Brother safe travels!!” he wrote, adding bluntly, “I am not ok.”

Raekwon responded with a string of prayer emojis before posting his own message: “The most high is merciful. I love you.”

As word spread, tributes flooded in from across the hip-hop world. GZA shared photos with Grant and made it clear just how critical “Power” was to the group’s legacy.

“Wu wouldn’t have come to fruition without Power,” he wrote. “His passing is a profound loss to us all.”

He closed by offering his “deepest condolences” to Grant’s family.

Born in Jamaica, Grant later moved to Staten Island, New York — the gritty borough that would become synonymous with Wu-Tang Clan history. There, he grew up alongside future rap icons including RZA, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna.

When Wu-Tang Clan formed in 1992, Grant wasn’t just another name in the crew. He played a pivotal role in helping build the foundation of what would become one of the most influential groups in hip-hop history.

And his impact went far beyond music.

Grant helped transform Wu-Tang from a rap collective into a cultural empire. He was instrumental in launching Wu Wear, the groundbreaking clothing line that helped pioneer the fusion of hip-hop and streetwear long before it became mainstream business strategy.

At a time when few artists were thinking about brand expansion, Grant was already pushing the culture forward.

For fans, his death feels like losing part of Wu-Tang’s origin story — a key piece of the movement that reshaped rap in the ’90s and beyond.

As messages continue pouring in, one thing is clear: Oliver “Power” Grant wasn’t just part of Wu-Tang Clan. He helped build it.

And his legacy is stitched into both hip-hop history and the culture it created.