Oliver "Power" Grant, an American entrepreneur, producer, streetwear mogul, and actor, has played a pivotal role in shaping the legacy of the iconic hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. As a close associate and executive producer for the group, Grant's influence extends far beyond the music industry, making him a key figure in the intersection of hip-hop culture and business.
Growing up in the Park Hill projects of Staten Island, Grant was childhood friends with Divine, the older brother of Wu-Tang Clan's RZA. This connection led him to become deeply involved with the group from its inception, even making a sizable financial investment in their future. His contributions were so significant that two founding members of the group gave him the name "Power," symbolizing the force needed to make things happen—a name that would later become synonymous with his entrepreneurial success.
In 1995, Grant made history by launching Wu Wear, one of the first artist-inspired clothing lines. Starting with simple mail-order sales of clothes featuring the Wu-Tang logo, he faced initial resistance from manufacturers who were reluctant to extend him credit. However, the group's rapid rise to platinum status changed everything. Grant opened the first Wu Wear store on Victory Boulevard in Staten Island, followed by an office in Manhattan's garment district to handle wholesale distribution. Under Grant's leadership, Wu Wear expanded to four stores across the country and was carried by major retailers like Macy's, Rich's, and d.e.m.o., generating annual revenues that topped $25 million at the height of the group's popularity.
Despite this success, the rise of counterfeit merchandise prompted Grant to rename the line "Wu-Tang Brand" in 2008 and discontinue Wu Wear. However, the brand's legacy lived on, and in 2017, Grant and RZA partnered with Live Nation Merchandise to relaunch the classic clothing line. As the brand's "Historic Creative Consultant," Grant ensures that the quality and creative vision of Wu-Tang Brand remain true to its roots while introducing new designs to a new generation of fans.
Grant's business acumen has been widely recognized as pioneering, particularly in the way he opened doors for future hip-hop artists to explore business opportunities beyond music. In a 2013 interview, he reflected on Wu-Tang's impact on the industry, emphasizing the importance of breaking down barriers and encouraging entrepreneurialism within the hip-hop community.
Beyond fashion, Grant also ventured into the gaming industry, producing and developing the 1999 PlayStation game "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style." The game, based on the group's martial arts themes and featuring characters modeled after their stage personas, was a commercial success and further solidified Wu-Tang's influence in popular culture.
Grant's contributions to the Wu-Tang Clan and hip-hop culture have not gone unnoticed. In the Hulu series Wu-Tang: An American Saga, actor Marcus Callender portrays him, capturing the essence of one of the most vital figures in the group's history.
From his humble beginnings in Staten Island to his status as a streetwear and business mogul, Oliver "Power" Grant's journey is a testament to the power of vision, determination, and the entrepreneurial spirit that has come to define hip-hop's cultural legacy.
“Peace to Power and my whole unit”
-Raekwon