It’s a sad day in the Wu-Tang Clan universe. The group’s longtime patriarch and mentor, Popa Wu, died at the age of sixty-three in his Brooklyn home.
Also known as Freedom Allah to his closest friends, he has appeared on many Wu-Tang projects over the years, most famously on the intro of Wu-Tang Forever opening track, “Wu-Revolution.”
The older cousin of Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, Popa Wu has been an integral part of the crew since it first came together, famous for schooling the group on the principles of the Five-Percent Nation. He can be seen in the first episode of Hulu series, Wu-Tang: An American Saga.
News of his death has generated tributes from artists across the hip-hop nation, including DJ Premier, Questlove, and Pete Rock. See some of the acknowledgments below.
R.I.P. Popa Wu. https://t.co/Jy1BAVvZt8
— GZA (@TheRealGZA) December 16, 2019
Can’t believe your gone !!!!!!😢 this hurts. #PAPAWU #restinpeacegreatone https://t.co/Wx5e1CHbRu
— Raekwon The Chef (@Raekwon) December 16, 2019
RIP to the one and only PAPA WU our sincerest condolences go out to the entire family 🙏🏽👐🏾🙏🏽👐🏾🙏🏽👐🏾🙏🏽 #wutang #wutangclan Ghostface Killah feat. Raekwon & U-God & Popa Wu – Black Jesus https://t.co/QDJA1UQrQz via @YouTube
— U-GOD / WU-TANG (@Ugodofwutang) December 16, 2019
R.I.P. ETERNALLY TO THE GOD PAPA WU 🙏🏾💜💛
— DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) December 16, 2019
Papa Wu 😢😔 Damn say it aint so man Wow 🐝 🐝 🐝 the angels got you 🙏🏾😔smh 🤦🏾♂️ https://t.co/0B9FwPEcA2
— PETEROCK.COM (@PeteRock) December 16, 2019
rip Poppa Wu https://t.co/Vuomu3VzMZ
— ahmir•quest• 5 letters only (@questlove) December 16, 2019
