Leon Haywood was an American funk and soul singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his smooth, sultry style and distinctive keyboard sound. Active from the 1960s to the 1980s, his significant contribution to the funk genre was characterized by his fusion of soul, funk, and disco elements. Haywood's most notable work, the 1975 hit "I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You," has been widely sampled in hip hop music, underscoring his influence on subsequent musical generations. His career also included a period as a producer for other artists, further cementing his impact on the music industry.