Carl Carlton, the influential R&B and funk singer whose smooth vocals powered timeless hits including “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)” and “Everlasting Love,” has died at the age of 73.
His son, Carlton Hudgens II, confirmed the news in a social media post on Sunday, paying tribute to his father’s life and career. “R.I.P Dad… You can finally rest now. Always love you,” he wrote. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed.
From Detroit Beginnings to Chart Success
Born Carlton Hudgens on May 21, 1952, in Detroit, Carlton showed musical promise early and launched his recording career as “Little Carl” Carlton. His early singles, including “I Think of How I Love Her” and “I Love True Love,” helped establish him as a rising voice in soul music during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
His career-defining breakthrough came in 1974 with his cover of Robert Knight’s “Everlasting Love.” The song became Carlton’s biggest commercial success, climbing to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and cementing his place in pop and soul music history.
‘Bad Mama Jama’ and a Lasting Legacy
Carlton reached a new generation of listeners in 1981 with “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked),” a funk anthem written by Stevie Wonder. The song peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Carlton a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. It remains a staple of funk playlists and DJ sets decades later.
Over the course of his career, Carlton released multiple albums, blending soul, funk, and R&B with a distinctive vocal style. His final studio album, “God Is Good,” was released in 2010.
Tributes From the Music World
Following news of his death, tributes poured in from across the music industry. Funk group Confunkshun praised Carlton’s enduring influence, writing that his voice and contributions “will forever be a part of our lives and the soundtrack of so many memories.”
DJ D-Nice also honored the singer, calling “Bad Mama Jama” one of the timeless records that shaped his youth. “Gone, but forever in rotation,” he wrote.
Remembering Carl Carlton
Though never as commercially prolific as some of his contemporaries, Carl Carlton’s impact on soul and funk music remains undeniable. His songs continue to resonate across generations, sampled, spun, and celebrated for their energy, warmth, and groove.
Carlton is survived by his family and a global fan base that continues to embrace the music he left behind.
