‘The Oogum Boogum Music’ Singer Dies at 83

Brenton Wooden, the soul singer perfect identified for his 1967 hit “The Oogum Boogum Music,” has died on the age of 83.

Wooden gave up the ghost on Friday (Jan. 3), at his house in Moreno Valley, Calif., surrounded by means of friends and family, in keeping with his supervisor and assistant, Manny Gallegos, TMZ experiences.

Gallegos showed to The New York Put up that Wooden died of herbal reasons. “He went in his sleep peacefully. The affection that he gave us, God took him the similar approach,” Gallegos stated.

The chief additionally shared a last message from Wooden to his lovers: “He stated, ‘Catch you at the rebound,’” relating to a 1967 music and the identify of his ultimate excursion, which wrapped up over Valentine’s Day weekend in 2024. Wooden started feeling unwell in a while after the excursion and was once hospitalized ultimate Would possibly.

Born Alfred Jesse Smith in Shreveport, Los angeles., Wooden relocated along with his circle of relatives to San Pedro, Calif., within the Nineteen Fifties. He later attended school in Southern California, the place he started nurturing his interest for song, drawing inspiration from artists like Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke. A self-taught pianist, Wooden wrote songs and harmonized with community pals. He followed the degree title Brenton Wooden, drawing inspiration from the Brentwood community of Los Angeles.

After signing with Double Shot Data in 1967, Wooden launched 3 of his largest hits that very same yr: “The Oogum Boogum Music” (which reached No. 34 at the Billboard Sizzling 100), “Gimme Little Signal” (peaking at No. 9 at the Sizzling 100) and “Child You Were given It” (hitting No. 34 at the Sizzling 100). “The Oogum Boogum Music” and “Gimme Little Signal” each peaked at No. 19 at the Billboard‘s Sizzling R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, whilst “Child You Were given It” reached No. 30 on that chart.

In 1972, he based his personal label, Prophesy Data, and later launched song beneath Mr. Wooden Data.

Over time, “The Oogum Boogum Music” has reached new audiences thru its inclusion in standard TV presentations and films akin to The Umbrella Academy, Virtually Well-known and Don’t Concern Darling, amongst others.

“It’s laborious to be in a nasty temper after you listen the ‘Oogum Boogum Music,’” NPR wrote in 2023. “Almost certainly no longer definitely worth the effort.”

“It’s a foolish identify and has foolish lyrics, too. However there’s one thing concerning the feeling. That just about playful falsetto, the drums bouncing alongside, the jangly guitar hits.”

Throughout his profession, Wooden believed in “giving again” and incessantly carried out at colleges and neighborhood outreach occasions during Southern California, in keeping with his web site. Throughout those appearances, the musician would proportion his private {and professional} demanding situations and successes, providing a message of empowerment with an emphasis on schooling and a “can do” perspective to encourage early life, the website states.