Wu-Tang Clan Visionary Oliver ‘Power’ Grant Dead at 52

Oliver "Power" Grant, the visionary business architect who helped fund the Wu-Tang Clan and founded the pioneering hip-hop brand Wu Wear, died Monday at the age of 52. Grant was instrumental in launching the Staten Island group's global empire and bridging the gap between rap and streetwear. (Photo courtesy of Wu Wear / File)

The hip-hop community is mourning the loss of Oliver "Power" Grant, the visionary business architect behind the Wu-Tang Clan, who passed away on Monday, Feb. 23, at the age of 52. His death was announced by the group on Tuesday. An official cause of death has not been disclosed.

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Grant, a childhood friend of RZA, was instrumental in funding and marketing the group's earliest legendary releases, including the breakthrough tracks "Protect Ya Neck" and "Method Man". Beyond music, Grant pioneered the merger of hip-hop and fashion by creating Wu Wear, widely recognized as one of the culture's first highly lucrative, artist-owned streetwear brands.

Tributes immediately poured in from the Clan. Method Man shared a heartfelt photo of the two on Instagram, writing, "Paradise my Brother safe Travels!! ... Bruh I am not ok". Raekwon also expressed his grief, posting, "POWER we been everywhere …. now you everywhere!"

Trump Campaign Settles With Isaac Hayes Estate Over Unauthorized Use of Soul Classic 'Hold On, I’m Comin’'

Soul icon Isaac Hayes, pictured in his signature gold chains and sunglasses, co-wrote the 1966 hit "Hold On, I'm Comin'". His estate recently reached a private settlement with Donald Trump over the unauthorized use of the track at campaign rallies, successfully defending the late musician's intellectual property and cultural contributions. (Photo by Fred Valentine/Hot Buttered Soul Records)

The Estate of legendary singer Isaac Hayes has officially reached a private settlement with Donald Trump, ending a high-profile copyright lawsuit over the unauthorized use of the 1966 soul classic "Hold On, I'm Comin'" at campaign rallies.

A joint stipulation of dismissal with prejudice was filed in federal court over the weekend, confirming the case has been mutually resolved and cannot be refiled. While the financial terms of the deal were not publicly disclosed, the estate had previously sought $3 million in unpaid licensing fees after accusing the campaign of playing the track at least 133 times without permission.

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Isaac Hayes III, President and CEO of Isaac Hayes Enterprises, took to social media on Monday to announce the resolution, emphasizing that the outcome was about far more than just a legal conclusion.

"This resolution represents more than the conclusion of a legal matter," Hayes III wrote in his statement. "It reaffirms the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and copyrights, especially as they relate to legacy, ownership, and the responsible use of creative works."

He continued, adding that his father "dedicated his life to his craft, and his contributions to music and culture carry enduring value. As stewards of his legacy, we remain committed to ensuring that his work is respected and properly protected."

The legal battle began in 2024 after the estate repeatedly objected to the Trump campaign using the hit song — which was co-written by Hayes and David Porter and popularized by the R&B duo Sam & Dave. After the campaign allegedly ignored multiple copyright infringement notifications, the estate successfully had the track removed from the campaign's blanket BMI political license and secured a federal injunction blocking its future use.

\Hayes III expressed gratitude to his legal team, including James L. Walker Jr., Brittney R. Dobbins, and copyright administrator Liz Garner, for their strategic guidance in holding the campaign accountable.

"Protecting ownership is not only about the past, it is about preserving dignity, value, and accountability for future generations," Hayes III stated.

The Isaac Hayes Estate is one of several musical acts who have taken legal action or publicly objected to the unauthorized use of their music at Trump rallies, joining artists like Eddy Grant, The White Stripes, Beyoncé and Celine Dion.

'Bodypartz' Rapper Luci4 Found Dead in Los Angeles; LAPD Probes for Possible Foul Play

Rapper James Dear, known professionally as Luci4 or Axxturel, pioneered the internet microgenre "sigilkore" before achieving mainstream success with his viral hit "BodyPartz." Dear died on Sunday, Feb. 22, at a residence in Los Angeles at the age of 23. Following the artist's passing, his manager, Kayla G, praised the late musician as a "leader, a king, and a musician and a genius" while authorities launched an investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. (Photo/Luci4 via Instagram)

The underground music community is in mourning following the death of James Dear, the 23-year-old
pioneer of the "sigilkore" genre better known by his stage names Luci4 and Axxturel. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that Dear died on Sunday, Feb. 22, at a friend’s residence in Los Angeles, though an official cause of death remains pending.

His manager, Kayla G., broke the news in a series of emotional statements shared via TikTok and Instagram on Monday. Devastated by the loss, she described Dear as more than just a client, but a singular talent who fundamentally shifted the culture.

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"I am devastated to inform you that today, James, Luci4, Axxturel has passed away," Kayla G. wrote. "He was truly a leader, a king, and a musician and a genius. There's nobody like him and there will never be. We all loved him dearly". She concluded the note by asking for "privacy and patience" for his family and friends during the difficult period.

While first responders were originally called to the scene for a medical emergency at 11:40 a.m. on Sunday, the circumstances of his final hours have drawn deep scrutiny from his family. Dear’s grandparents spoke to TMZ, expressing suspicion after finding the rapper’s wallet completely empty at the scene. They noted recent "changes in the people around him" as his fame grew, prompting them to issue warnings about certain associates prior to the tragedy.

Born Aug. 2, 2002, in Los Angeles, Dear became a digital-era phenomenon by blending experimental trap production with an occult-inspired aesthetic. His career reached a mainstream tipping point in 2021 when his track "BodyPartz" became a massive viral sensation on TikTok, eventually leading to a recording contract with Atlantic Records and a gold certification from the RIAA.

As the Los Angeles Police Department probes the possibility of foul play, fans have flooded his final social media posts with tributes, citing his unique "sigilkore" sound as a blueprint for a new generation of underground artists. Toxicology and autopsy results are expected in the coming weeks.