Carl Carlton, the American R&B, soul and funk singer‑songwriter, has died at the age of 72. His passing was confirmed by his son, Carlton Hudgens II, in a social media post on Sunday, December 14, 2025, in which he wrote: “RIP Dad, Legend Carl Carlton, singer of ‘She’s a Bad Mama Jama.’ Long hard fight in life and you will be missed.” His cause of death has not been officially disclosed. See More…
Born Carlton Hudgens in Detroit on May 21, 1952, he began his music career in the mid‑1960s under the name “Little Carl” Carlton, recording local hits before achieving national success. Carlton’s breakthrough came with his 1974 disco‑influenced cover of “Everlasting Love,” which reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 15 weeks on the chart.
Carlton is best known for his iconic 1981 hit “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked).” The song became a defining funk and R&B anthem of the early 1980s, earning a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male, and helping his self‑titled album reach gold status.
Over his decades‑long career, Carlton remained a respected figure in soul and funk music. He made numerous television appearances, including American Bandstand and Soul Train, and continued recording and performing through the 1980s and beyond, even releasing a gospel album titled God Is Good in 2010.
In recent years Carlson faced health challenges, including a stroke in 2019 that impacted his later life, according to multiple reports. Despite these struggles, his music continued to be beloved by fans and frequently featured in films, TV shows, and sampled by new generations of artists.
Tributes from fans, fellow musicians, and the music community have poured in following the announcement of his death, praising his talent, influence, and the lasting legacy of his classic songs. Carlton’s contributions helped define key moments in soul and R&B history, and his music will continue to be celebrated worldwide.
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