A lasting impact not only in his Staten Island, New York hometown, but Chicago as well. On September 16, 2017 on the final Saturday afternoon of Summer that year, I met for the first time someone of true significance to the greatest Hip-Hop group of all-time and one of the greatest groups of all-time from all of music, Wu-Tang Clan. In Oliver “Power” Grant, a founding member of the storied and iconic group, who unfortunately passed this past Tuesday, February 24. 2026 after a long and courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. Not many outside of hardcore fans of the group really knew of his true contributions to the group as not only one of its founding members, but the creator and originator of the world-renowned, Wu Wear brand clothing line. I met Power that afternoon as I had stopped by the luxurious, Virgin Hotel Chicago, to interview longtime Wu-Tang Clan DJ and producer, Mathematics, ahead of the groups performance at world-renowned music festival, Riot Fest, later that night for this very website.
When I met Power at first I didn’t realize it was him, but as I donned a Wu-Tang Clan 8 Diagrams Tour black t-shirt. Power right away when he seen me and I was introduced to him told me how that was his design and he helped design the t-shirt I was wearing. It was later on when I knuckleheadly realized that this was Power, who was a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan alongside RZA and several of the other actual group members. That put up much of the money to financially back Wu-Tang in the beginning stages of their career in the early 90’s and also start Wu Wear as one of the first and most successful clothing brands by a group or artist in Hip-Hop history. Forever changing the landscape of entrepreneurship in Hip-Hop.
While Mathematics created the groups iconic world-renowned forever etched in history logo. It was Power with help from the Wu Wear brand clothing line and his always visionary brilliance and branding that helped elevate that Wu-Tang Clan logo from just local Staten Island, New York royalty to the world-renowned global phenomenon that logo is now known by so many who have never even listened to the group or Hip-Hop prior to seeing the iconic logo. Power was also a key contributor to everything from executive producing and helping oversee all Wu-Tang Clan albums to a lot of other in and outs with the branding of the group. As well as a lot of the work the Wu-Tang Foundation, which he co-founded with another childhood Wu-Tang behind the scenes person, Tareef Michael, did to better cleanup and do volunteer community work in inner cities here like Chicago. As well as help provide resources and reduce violence while helping improve undeserved communities and areas of Chicago such as West Roseland Washington Park and the Auburn Gresham neighborhood’s.
I met Power several other times at various Wu-Tang Clan shows and/or related events throughout the nearly decade since than and as you can see and tell not only from his work, but those who knew him or were lucky enough like myself to meet him. He was a man of the people who was always willing to lend an ear to myself and several others, whether it be to talkabout the group, business or even anything else. Power was a person, who though quite and humble that wasn’t as very braggadocious as many can be in his line of work and being as important as he was to the success of Wu-Tang Clan. Quietly made an impact as a key architecture and pillar not only of Wu-Tang, but a truly great iconic visionary force and global architecture of Hip-Hop culture and beyond that will be remembered long beyond we are all gone and no longer here. Forever etched in history books and as someone to inspire and study for many others to help properly globally brand a product. The power that Power displayed throughout his lifetime is why the Wu-Tang Clan logo and brand is as globally recognizable as the jumpman is to the Jordan brand, the swoosh is to Nike and the Pepsi symbol is to Pepsi. It is also why Power is a one-of-one person who can never be replaced and will be just as hard, if not harder for not only the group, but the other several Wu-Tang Clan affiliates to get over as it was when group member, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, passed away nearly 12 years ago in 2004.
In a somewhat eerie kind of twist just a day after Power’s unfortunate passing, Wu-Tang Clan, was announced as one of 10 first time nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Finding out in April if they will be inducted into the current upcoming class of 2026. With Power himself playing a huge part in why that’s even possible. So hopefully God willing in the next couple of months we will find out they are inducted as a sort of great karma and spirit from Power to help them do so.
All that said as well, me, my partner and the founder of The Hip Hop Democrat, Todd and the rest of the team here send out many condolences, well wishes and prayers to the Grant family. As well as my Wu-Tang Clan family in this very difficult time. A man of the people and for the people, Power’s loving and powerful legacy and greatness will live on for many generations to come and beyond for the many people he touched and helped inspire. As well as will continue to still inspire in the afterlife as well.
