STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Oliver “Power” Grant, the visionary entrepreneur and executive producer who served as a foundational pillar of the Wu-Tang Clan, died following a private battle with pancreatic cancer, his family and the group confirmed Sunday. He was 52.
Grant passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, surrounded by his mother, children, and close friends. The announcement, released via a joint statement on March 1, clarifies the cause of death for the man widely credited with providing the financial and strategic infrastructure that allowed the Staten Island collective to achieve global dominance.
A ‘Visionary Force’ from Park Hill
Rising from the Park Hill projects of Staten Island, Grant was more than a financial backer; he was a primary architect of the Wu-Tang brand. While the group’s emcees handled the lyrical output, Grant focused on the “Wu-Wear” clothing line and the group’s early business ventures, helping transform a hip-hop group into a multi-million dollar lifestyle empire.
“He rose… to become a visionary force, a pillar of the Wu-Tang family, and a global architect of culture,” the family statement read. “A true fighter until the end… It was the honor of his life to pour his love, wisdom and brilliance into his family and his community.”
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Hip-Hop Community Mourns a Silent Giant
Though Grant often operated behind the scenes, his influence on the individual members of the Clan was profound. Tributes from the group’s core members highlighted his role as the “glue” during their formative years.
- Method Man: Sharing a photo of the two together, the rapper expressed his grief bluntly: “Bruh I am not ok.”
- Raekwon: “POWER we been everywhere… now you everywhere! The most high is merciful love you.”
- GZA: Credited Grant with the group’s very existence, stating, “Wu wouldn’t have come to fruition without Power. His passing is a profound loss to us all.”
Grant’s influence extended into cinema as well, with notable appearances in the 1998 cult classic Belly and 1999’s Black and White, often appearing alongside Method Man.
Legacy Amidst Hall of Fame Honors
Grant’s passing comes at a bittersweet moment for the Wu-Tang legacy. On Feb. 25, just one day after his death, the Wu-Tang Clan was officially named as a nominee for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
As the group—comprising RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa—looks toward potential induction, they do so without the man who fueled their initial ascent. Grant joins the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who passed in 2004, as a founding member of the Wu-Tang family whose impact is now left to the annals of music history.
The family has not yet announced plans for a public memorial, though they emphasized that his “legacy will forever remain” within the culture he helped build.
