Oliver “Power” Grant, an original member of the pioneering hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, was killed by cancer, his bandmates said Monday.
"Power transitioned on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, following a courageous and hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer," Wu-Tang Clan posted on its official Instagram account.
"A true fighter until the end, he was surrounded by his mother, his children, his family, and his closest friends."
The band, which emerged in the early 1990s from the New York City borough of Staten Island, did not explain why it waited a week to release the cause of death.
Grant's wake will be March 13, and his funeral is scheduled for March 14.
"We will release exact location details closer to the service dates as we finalize securing the venues," the band said.
Known as "Pookie" to his pals, Grant was 52 when he died and "a proud product of the Park Hill neighborhood."
"From those streets, he rose to become a visionary force, a pillar of the Wu-Tang family, and a global architect of culture," the band said. "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."
Born in Jamaica, Grant was not a rapper. But he was the business mastermind behind Wu-Tang Clan and the executive producer of its albums. He was also the brains behind the band's branding and successful clothing line.
Grant's death was first reported by bandmate Method Man and WQHT-FM, the iconic New York radio station known as Hot 97 that played a notable role in popularizing hip-hop.
His death came as Wu-Tang Clan was nominated for the 2026 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The band's competition this year is formidable. It includes Joy Division/New Order, Luther Vandross, Shakira, Sade, Pink, Oasis, New Edition, Iron Maiden, INXS, Billy Idol, Lauryn Hill, Melissa Etheridge, Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Jeff Buckley and the Black Crowes.
