Carl Carlton, the Detroit-born R&B and soul singer whose music soundtracked generations of dance floors and backyard parties, has died at the age of 72.
The news was shared by his son, Carlton Hudgens II, who posted on Facebook on Sunday, December 14, writing, “RIP Dad, Legend Carl Carlton singer of ‘She’s a Bad Mama Jama.’ Long hard fight in life, and you will be missed.”
Born Carlton Hudgens on May 21, 1953, in Detroit, Carlton began performing as a child under the name “Little Carl” Carlton. By the early 1960s, he was already releasing singles, including “I Think of How I Love Her” and “I Love True Love,” establishing himself as a local standout before his teens. His momentum continued through the decade, eventually leading him to Back Beat Records, where “Competition Ain’t Nothing” became a favorite within the U.K. Northern Soul scene.
Carlton scored his first national hit in 1971 with “I Can Feel It,” but his breakthrough came in 1974 with his emotional, disco-tinged cover of “Everlasting Love,” which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of his most enduring records.
In the early 1980s, Carlton delivered his most recognizable hit, “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked),” earning a Grammy nomination and cementing his place in funk history. The song later lived on through hip-hop samples from artists including Foxy Brown and Flo Milli.
Carlton reportedly suffered a stroke six years ago. However, his cause of death is unknown.
