Soul Legend Brenton Wood, Known for “Oogum Boogum,” Passes Away at 83

Brenton Wood’s Legacy

Brenton Wood, the voice behind the iconic hit “Oogum Boogum”, has passed away at the age of 83.

The announcement was made by Wood’s manager and assistant, Manny Gallegos, who stated Diversity. The musician succumbed to natural causes while surrounded by family at his home in Moreno Valley.

According to Gallegos, Wood’s final words to his fans were, “Catch you on the rebound,” alluding to his 1967 song and 2024 tour of the same name.

Musical Journey

Born Alfred Jesse Smith, Wood chose his stage name based on his home county and released several singles before signing with Double Shot Records in 1967, where he achieved one of his major hits with “The Oogum Boogum Song.”

The Compton singer referred to the track as his “gobbledygook” moment, created at a time when his label was eager for a hit. After spending six weeks refining the song because he was unhappy with the initial version, it went on to become one of his most notable successes.

Brenton Wood wrote The Oogum Boogum because he desperately needed a hit.

The meaning of the song was another way of saying “Abracadabra” to those he felt were against him.

RIP to a Cal legend. pic.twitter.com/eg0R8U2WKt

— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) January 3, 2025

His hit peaked at number 19 on the Billboard R&B charts and has been featured in numerous films and TV shows, including Almost Famous and Don’t Worry, Honey. Wood also enjoyed another success with “Gimme Little Sign”, which reached number 9 on the pop charts.

Tributes from Fans

Since the news of his passing, fans have taken to social media to express the impact of his music. “You’ve given us so many beautiful tunes that we can forever hold in our hearts as a culture,” one fan remarked, while another noted, “You wouldn’t know life if you didn’t listen to Brenton Wood’s 18 Greatest Hits album.” More tributes can be seen below:

Rest in power, Brenton Wood. Soul legend and one of many who migrated from Louisiana to California. 🎶🕊 pic.twitter.com/RpwkHPBc3C

— OJ Spivey (@OJPhilly) January 4, 2025

Brenton Wood was a special part of my childhood when my non-English speaking mom loved him and always played his music ugh king RIP 💔💔

— ♡ ☆*:.｡.♡ ☆*:.｡. ♡ (@gissellleh) January 3, 2025

I had a chance to see Brenton Wood live in 2018. I will always remember how happy I was to see him move around in his outfit and hat and share his beautiful music with us. Definitely a heavy heart for losing an oldies legend 🩵🕊️ #RIPBrentonWood pic.twitter.com/YzYuNWdjvY

— 📧 Eliza 💜 (@eliseryann) January 4, 2025

RIP Mr. Brenton Wood, you have given us so many wonderful tunes that we can use to keep the culture forever in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/4Sn17Bk4OE

— Ralphie PoELA777 🇺🇸 (@Ralfi_PoELA) January 4, 2025

TRY THE MF LEGEND. You won’t know life without listening to Brenton Wood’s 18 Greatest Hits album. Maaan he really performed until he gave up.

— ³ʳᵈ (@3rdtres) January 3, 2025

Wood, who established his own labels, Prophesy Records and Mr. Wood Records, has cultivated a dedicated following among Latino listeners, according to former Warner Bros. executive Bob Merlis. He was regarded as “the standard bearer of the Southern California pop-soul scene.” Los Angeles Times