The hip-hop world is in mourning following the death of Oliver 'Power' Grant, a key co-founder and strategist of Wu-Tang Clan. The 52-year-old entrepreneur was a cult figure, responsible for the financial success and global expansion of the New York collective. While he remained in the shadows of the rappers, he was the one who built the power of the Wu Wear brand and secured the group's independence by funding their first steps in the music industry.

Death of the Wu-Tang Architect

Oliver Grant, co-founder and executive producer of the iconic New York group, has died.

Pioneer of Streetwear

Grant founded Wu Wear, transforming the band's popularity into a lucrative clothing empire.

Tribute from the Biggest Stars

Members such as RZA and Method Man remember him as a key pillar of the group's success.

The death of Oliver 'Power' Grant represents a profound loss for hip-hop culture, whose foundations he helped build from the early 1990s. Although he rarely performed on stage, his role as an executive producer was invaluable. Grant financed the recording of the debut single "Protect Ya Neck," which allowed Wu-Tang Clan to negotiate unprecedented record deals, granting individual members the freedom to release solo albums on different labels. Thanks to his business acumen, the group became not only a musical phenomenon but also a powerful enterprise. Oliver Grant was a visionary of streetwear. In 1995, he founded the Wu Wear brand, which pioneered the transfer of musical symbols onto mass-market everyday clothing, achieving multi-million dollar annual revenues. His activities, however, were not limited to fashion; Grant successfully engaged in acting, film production, and talent management. Group members, including RZA, GZA, Method Man, and Raekwon, paid public tributes, emphasizing that without Grant's strategic mind, the entire "Wu" movement might never have existed on such a scale. The business model developed by Grant and RZA in the 1990s became a textbook example of building artistic independence and a personal brand, inspiring today's hip-hop moguls like Jay-Z and Dr. Dre. Grant's passing occurred at a symbolic moment, just a few weeks before expected ceremonies celebrating the group's legacy in New York's cultural scene. He left behind a legacy based on creative autonomy and breaking barriers between art and business. His death unites fans worldwide, who remember him as the architect who built a global empire from the concrete of Staten Island. „Wu wouldn't have come to fruition without Power. His passing is a profound loss to us all.” — Gary Grice (GZA) „Rest in Power, my brother. We will miss your guidance.” — Corey Woods (Raekwon)

Mentioned People

  • Oliver Grant — Known as Power, co-founder of Wu-Tang Clan, entrepreneur and producer.
  • Gary Grice — Known as GZA, one of the leaders and pillars of Wu-Tang Clan.
  • Robert Diggs — Known as RZA, leader and main music producer of Wu-Tang Clan.
  • Corey Woods — Known as Raekwon, a key member of Wu-Tang Clan.
  • Clifford Smith — Known as Method Man, one of the most popular members of the group.