Leon Haywood, the famous R&B singer whose work has been sampled in a number of classic hip-hop songs has died at the age of 74, according to a report from the Associated Press. He is most widely known for his 1975 single "I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You," which was famously sampled in Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang." He's also been sampled by artists like Aaliyah, 50 Cent, Redman, and J. Cole. His godson Darnell Price told the AP that he died in his sleep in Los Angeles.
Haywood was born in Houston, Texas in 1942, and gained popularity throughout the 60s and 70s with hits like "It's Got to Be Mellow," "Strokin'," and "Keep It in the Family." He was a well known musician in R&B, Funk, and Soul circles in his own right, and his music gained new life through its extensive sampling by hip-hop artists. You can listen to "I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You" below.
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