Brenton Wood, most famous for songs like "The Oogum Boogum Song," "Baby You Got It," and "Gimme Little Sign," has passed away.
Videos by Wide Open Country
According to TMZ, Brenton Wood's manager, Manny Gallegos, confirmed that he passed away peacefully on Friday surrounded by friends at his home in Moreno Valley, California.
The New York Post reports that an official cause of death has not been revealed. Gallegos said, "It was just his old age. He was 86 years old. He went in his sleep peacefully. The love that he gave us, God took him the same way." Gallegos also said that Wood wanted him to give a message to his fans: "I might not be here for long. Catch you on the Rebound."
The message likely refers to Wood's song and farewell tour of the same name. The tour started in January 2024 and finished in February. According to the New York Post, Wood felt ill shortly after the tour and was hospitalized in May.
The Oogum Boogum Song Gave Wood The Break He Needed
Alfred Jesse Smith, professionally known as Brenton Wood, was born in Louisiana and raised in San Pedro, Los Angeles. Various TV shows, movies, and ad campaigns have used his music, particularly The Oogum Boogum Song.
The American singer and songwriter released several songs during his early career, but they failed to generate much of a buzz. The Oogum Boogum song put Wood on the musical map in 1967. He released more than 20 singles during his career, along with multiple studio albums and compilations. According to Variety, he formed his own record label, Prophecy Records, in 1972. Brenton Wood released all subsequent songs under Mr. Wood Records. Wood caught the music bug at Compton College, and his stage name is a reference to his home county. He looked up to several artists, including Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke, as inspirations for his songs.
According to NewsMax, Wood wasn't only interested in music but also had a passion for giving back to his community. He played an active role in local school and community outreach events, particularly those focused on high-risk youths.
