Days after the announcement of his passing, the cause of Oliver “Power” Grant’s death has been revealed.
Grant, a co-founder of the iconic hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, died following “a courageous and hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer,” his family and Wu-Tang Clan said in a joint statement to Rolling Stone.
A childhood friend of RZA’s, Grant played an integral role in building the legendary Staten Island, N.Y., crew and invested in the brand from its earliest stages. He also served as an executive producer on all of Wu’s albums. The group announced his death on Feb. 25. He was 52.
The news of Grant’s passing came the same day the Wu-Tang Clan received its first Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination for the Class of 2026.
“A true fighter until the end, he was surrounded by his mother, his children, his family, and his closest friends,” the tribute read.
A “proud product of the Park Hill neighborhood” of Staten Island, Grant grew up alongside the future members of Wu-Tang Clan. “From those streets, he rose to become a visionary force, a pillar of the Wu-Tang family, and a global architect of culture,” the statement continued. “It was the honor of his life to pour his love, wisdom, and brilliance into his family and his community. His impact was singular; there will never be another to take his place.”
“Power will always be loved, and his legacy will forever remain,” Grant’s family and Wu-Tang wrote in closing. “Greatness is not what you have, but what you give.”
Although Power wasn’t a performing member of the Wu-Tang Clan, he played a crucial role in the group’s rise. In 1992, he helped finance the act’s first single, “Protect Ya Neck,” and served as executive producer on their 1993 debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).
Grant’s influence also extended beyond music. He co-founded the pioneering streetwear brand Wu Wear, a trailblazing and highly lucrative venture for the group.
