'Oogum Boogum' hitmaker Brenton Wood dies at age 83

Brenton Wood was pronounced dead on Friday at the age of 83.

The soul singer reportedly died of natural causes at his home in Moreno Valley, California on January 3.

“He went in his sleep peacefully.” Wood's manager and publicist Manny Gallegos told Entertainment Weekly, the New York Post, and TMZ. “The love that he gave us, God took him the same way,” he added.

Woods did have some last few words for his fans, per his manager.

"I was there last night at his house. I was playing the piano for him. He was in the hospital bed, and I told him, 'Friend, is there anything you want to say to your fans?' And he says, you tell my fans I said, 'Catch you on the rebound,'" Gallegos recalled Wood's final words, which referenced his 1967 song and the name of his final tour.

Gallegos told the New York Post that Wood's condition deteriorated after completing his tour on Valentine’s Day weekend in 2024 and he was hospitalised weeks later in May.

Brenton Wood, whose real name is Alfred Jesse Smith, came up with the stage during his college life as it was inspired by the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, per the New York Post.

After having sought inspiration from artists like Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke in songwriting and playing the piano, Woods landed a record deal with Double Shot Records in 1967.

Shortly after, the musician released some of his most popular hits, including The Oogum Boogum Song, Gimme Little Sign, and Baby You Got It, according to Billboard.

The Oogum Boogum Song has been featured in several TV shows and films including Don’t Worry Darling, The Umbrella Academy, and Almost Famous.

In his lifetime, Wood released nine studio albums and several compilations before founding his own label, Prophesy Records in 1972 and later releasing music under Mr. Wood Records.