Oliver Grant, the Wu-Tang Clan founding member known to the hip-hop world as Power, has died at the age of 52. The New York City-based group confirmed the news on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, sending shockwaves through the music community on what was already a milestone day for the legendary collective.
The circumstances surrounding Oliver Grant’s passing have not been publicly disclosed, and no official cause of death has been released. What is known is that his loss has left fans, collaborators, and fellow artists deeply shaken.
Who Oliver Grant Was to Wu-Tang Clan
Oliver Grant, known as Power or Oliver Power Grant, was one of the original architects behind Wu-Tang Clan — one of the most influential hip-hop groups ever assembled. Founded in Staten Island, New York in the early 1990s, Wu-Tang forever altered the landscape of rap with their raw lyricism, gritty production, and uncompromising approach to the genre.
While he worked primarily behind the scenes compared to the group’s more prominent lyrical voices, his role as a founding member was integral to building the Wu-Tang empire from the ground up. His presence in the collective’s origin story is inseparable from everything the group went on to achieve.
Tributes Pour In From the Hip-Hop Community
Wu-Tang Clan paid tribute to Oliver with a heartfelt post on X, writing a farewell that reflected the deep brotherhood at the core of the group. Hot 97, the iconic New York radio station that helped catapult hip-hop into mainstream culture, was among the first outlets to report the news. Fans quickly flooded social media with memories, lyrics, and gratitude, underscoring just how deeply Oliver’s influence stretched beyond the stage and into everyday life.
Method Man, one of Wu-Tang’s most recognized voices, also shared a deeply personal reaction to Oliver Grant’s passing, describing his grief openly and calling him a brother. His words captured the kind of bond that only comes from building something historic together from nothing. Other artists across the hip-hop landscape echoed similar sentiments, highlighting his quiet leadership, business instincts, and unwavering belief in the group’s vision from the very beginning.
A Bittersweet Day for Wu-Tang and Rock Hall Fans
The timing of Oliver Grant’s passing could not be more poignant. Wednesday marked the same day Wu-Tang Clan was formally announced as a nominee for the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — a recognition that the group and its fans have long felt was overdue. For many supporters, the announcement carried a mix of pride and heartbreak, as celebration and mourning unfolded side by side.
The nomination places Wu-Tang alongside a remarkable class of artists including Luther Vandross, Shakira, Sade, Pink, Oasis, New Edition, Joy Division/New Order, Iron Maiden, INXS, Billy Idol, Lauryn Hill, Melissa Etheridge, Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Jeff Buckley, and The Black Crowes. For him and the group he helped build, the nomination stands as a powerful testament to their enduring cultural impact — even as the community mourns his absence. The honor also reignites conversations about Wu-Tang’s groundbreaking business model and artistic independence, both of which Oliver championed behind the scenes.
A Legacy That Will Not Be Forgotten
Oliver Grant’s contribution to hip-hop extends far beyond any single role or title. As a founding force behind Wu-Tang Clan, he was part of a movement that redefined what rap could be — raw, cinematic, unapologetic, and deeply rooted in the lived experience of New York City’s streets.
The music Oliver helped bring into the world continues to resonate across generations, influencing artists and fans alike in ways that show no signs of fading. As Wu-Tang stands on the threshold of potential Hall of Fame induction, his memory will be woven into every moment of that journey. Rest in Power, Power.
