The hip-hop industry has lost one of its brightest stars this week. Oliver Grant, better known as 'Power', the founding force behind the popular Wu-Tang Clan, passed away on February 23, 2026, at the age of 52. Grant was a much-loved name in the community, not only for his contribution to hip-hop but also as a fashion entrepreneur and actor. His death was confirmed by members of his legendary collective.
While Grant's death was a sudden and unexpected one, there has been limited information about what exactly caused his death at just 52 years old. His family has yet to release an official statement about the same, and it's not clear whether there was any foul play involved. Authorities have not confirmed whether an investigation is underway.
Wu-Tang members, along with Grant's colleagues from the industry, have posted heartfelt tributes to their fallen soldier. Clifford Smith Jr., who famously goes by 'Method Man', announced the news of Grant's death on Instagram, writing, "Paradise, my Brother safe travels!! #pookie #power Bruh I am not ok .." Fellow Clan member, Raekwon, mourned 'Power' and wrote, "The most high is merciful. I love you." Another member, GZA, mentioned on social media:
“Wu wouldn’t have come to fruition without Power. His passing is a profound loss to us all.”
Oliver Grant was born on November 3, 1973, in Jamaica, and grew up with fellow Wu-Tang members in Staten Island’s Park Hill Projects. It was here that he first met rapper-actor RZA’s older brother, Divine, and became childhood friends. This connection played a huge role in his career as a founding member of the legendary album collective. While he didn't actively rap himself, he had a huge impact on the group's success.
Grant got his famous nickname, 'Power', after a chess match among the Clan's members. He reportedly made several notable financial investments early on, helping Wu-Tang launch their very first groundbreaking album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), in November 1993. Over the years, he became the executive producer of Wu-Tang projects, even co-founding Wu-Tang Productions later.
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Besides investment and production, Grant had a keen eye for fashion, especially hip-hop apparel. In 1995, he launched one of the first artist-driven fashion lines in the community, naming it Wu Wear. This step turned out to be a huge success with time; starting as a mail-order merchandise, Wu Wear has now grown into a multimillion-dollar brand, eventually stocked in major retailers like Macy’s.
Wu Wear's annual revenue reportedly grows as high as over USD 25 million at its peak year. Speaking about his fashion line, Grant once told Complex in a 2011 interview:
"That was all me. I had a crew of people who worked with me and helped me achieve and do the things that I wanted to do. But that was all my direction, based on how I saw it."
Other than music production and fashion, Grant showed his true passion for gaming. In 1999, he executive-produced the PlayStation title Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style, further expanding his Wu-Tang empire. He had also tried his hand at acting, appearing in films like Belly and Black and White. At the time of his death, Grant's net worth was estimated to be somewhere between USD 4 and 7 million.
More details regarding Oliver Grant's cause of death are expected as statements from family or officials become available.
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