Carl Carlton, the Detroit-born R&B and funk singer whose smooth vocals and infectious grooves made him a soul music icon, has died at age 73. His son, Carlton Hudgens II, announced the news on Facebook on Dec. 14, 2025, writing, “RIP Dad, Legend Carl Carlton singer of She’s a Bad Mama Jama. Long hard fight in life and you will be missed.”
No cause of death was announced, though Carlton had suffered a stroke in 2019 that significantly impacted his health in recent years. The singer, born Carlton Hudgens, leaves behind a musical legacy spanning six decades that helped shape the sound of modern R&B and influenced countless hip-hop artists through samples and covers.
Carlton began his recording career as a preteen in Detroit, initially performing under the stage name Little Carl Carlton. His early work with Back Beat Records in Texas produced singles including “Competition Ain’t Nothin'” in 1968 and “I Can Feel It” in 1971. While these releases failed to achieve mainstream success in the United States, they became beloved classics within England’s northern soul music club scene, where American R&B records found devoted audiences.
The singer’s U.S. breakthrough arrived in 1974 with his cover of “Everlasting Love,” a strings-soaked track that showcased his bright, elastic vocal delivery. The song climbed to No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, becoming his highest-charting pop hit. His vocal style drew frequent comparisons to Stevie Wonder, and the single established Carlton as a formidable presence in the soul music landscape during the disco era.
By the late 1970s, Carlton had relocated to Houston and secured a deal with 20th Century Fox following a legal battle to extract himself from a previous recording contract. He told the Detroit Free Press in 1981, “This business is very tricky, especially if you’re young. When you’re young, you’re excited, and you’ll sign anything. That’s what happened to me.”
That new contract led to Carlton’s most enduring hit. In 1981, he released “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked),” a funky track written and produced by Leon Haywood. The song became a cultural phenomenon, climbing to No. 2 on Billboard’s R&B chart and earning Carlton a Grammy nomination for best R&B vocal performance, male. The track’s infectious bassline and celebratory lyrics made it a staple at parties and on dance floors across America.
Carlton continued his success the following year with a reggae cover of the Four Tops’ classic “Baby I Need Your Loving” in 1982, which reached the top 20 on the R&B chart. The singer had become one of the most significant R&B figures in Detroit’s post-Motown era, bringing national attention to the city’s continuing musical vitality.
Beyond its initial chart success, “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” has been sampled by numerous hip-hop and R&B artists, including Foxy Brown. This cross-generational appeal cemented Carlton’s impact on American popular music far beyond his initial run of hits.
Carlton’s recording career slowed considerably by the 1990s, though he remained active as a live performer. He continued appearing at concerts across metro Detroit and at festivals throughout the country, maintaining a connection with fans who had grown up with his music. His last album, “God Is Good,” was released in 2010, showcasing his enduring vocal abilities and his turn toward gospel music.
The stroke Carlton suffered in 2019 effectively ended his performing career. Despite the health challenges, he remained a respected figure in the music community. He made appearances on iconic music programs, including American Bandstand and Soul Train, bringing his energetic performances to national television audiences during the height of his career. These appearances helped solidify his status as a major figure in 1970s and 1980s soul music.
Following news of his death, tributes poured in from fellow musicians and fans. The widespread remembrances reflected Carlton’s lasting impact on multiple generations of music lovers and creators.
Carlton was born on May 21, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan, according to his son, who noted that some sources had incorrectly listed his birth year as 1953. His career trajectory from child performer to international soul star exemplified the possibilities and challenges of the music industry, particularly for Black artists navigating complex recording contracts and changing musical trends across multiple decades.
