Brenton Wood, a true soul and R&B legend, rose to fame with unforgettable hits like “The Oogum Boogum Song” and “Gimme Little Sign.” These classic tracks, each amassing over 30 million streams on Spotify, became defining moments in Brenton Wood’s career. They were both featured on his iconic 1967 album, Oogum Boogum, which helped solidify Brenton Wood’s place in music history. Before he became the celebrated artist we know today, he went by a different name—Alfred Jesse Smith. After high school, he made the bold decision to change it to Brenton Wood, marking the start of a new chapter. Interestingly, his journey began when his father relocated him from Louisiana to San Pedro, California during his childhood—a move that would eventually shape the path of Brenton Wood’s musical legacy.
He never actually owned the rights to any of his songs—every single one was held by Art Laboe, a well-known disc jockey from Los Angeles. It’s kind of surprising when you think about it, especially considering how popular some of those tracks became over time. He created the music, poured his heart into it, but in the end, the legal ownership rested entirely with Art Laboe.