R&B singer-songwriter Leon Haywood dies at 74

[Fansome]

R&B singer-songwriter Leon Haywood dies at 74

Published Wednesday, April 6, 2016 | 5:58 p.m.

Updated 6 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Leon Haywood, the silky smooth R&B singer-songwriter and producer whose 1975 single "I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You" was famously sampled by Dr. Dre and others, has died. He was 74.

Haywood's godson Darnell "OG Cuicide" Price says he died in his sleep Thursday in Los Angeles.

Haywood's "I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You" served as the groovy hook on the Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg duet "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang." The song was also featured in 50 Cent's "Corner Bodega" and Aaliyah's "I Gotcha Back."

Haywood's other hits included "It's Got to Be Mellow" and "Don't Push It Don't Force It."

Haywood began his career as a blues musician before achieving success in the '60s, '70s and '80s in the soul, R&B and funk genres.