On February 24, I went on Instagram to share the heartbreaking news of Oliver “Power” Grant’s passing arrives at a moment when Wu-Tang is being recognized on one of music’s biggest stages. On Wednesday, the group earned a nomination for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class. If they secure induction, they would join the ranks of iconic hip-hop acts such as The Notorious B.I.G., Outkast, and A Tribe Called Quest.
While Grant was never onstage as part of the original nine RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa his fingerprints were all over the movement from the very beginning. He helped steer the business engine behind the scenes, expanding their reach beyond records and stages and into fashion, turning the brand into something far bigger than music alone.
In a clip the group shared on X, Grant reflected on the hunger that fueled their rise. He explained that success is often sparked by either inspiration or necessity and for them, it was both. Everyone was grinding. Music opened the door, touring strengthened the foundation, and the brand ultimately became the empire-builder.
