Carl Carlton, Voice of Funk Classic “She’s a Bad Mama Jama,” Dies at 73
Written by b87fm on 12/15/2025
Carl Carlton, the funk and R&B singer whose music became synonymous with Black joy, confidence, and timeless groove, has died. He was 73.
The news was confirmed Sunday (Dec. 14) by his son, Carlton Hudgens II, who shared a tribute on Facebook honoring his father, born Carlton Hudgens.
“RIP Dad, Legend Carl Carlton, singer of ‘She’s a Bad Mama Jama,’” he wrote alongside a photo of the late musician. “Long hard fight in life and you will be missed.”
In a follow-up post, Hudgens added, “R.I.P Dad. You can finally rest now. Always love you.” He also clarified that reports listing Carlton’s birthdate as May 21, 1953 are incorrect, stating his father was born May 21, 1952.
According to SoulTracks, Carlton’s death follows a stroke he suffered six years ago, which forced him to step away from the spotlight.
Carlton first emerged in the 1960s as “Little Carl Carlton,” a teenage singer with a voice far beyond his years. By the early 1970s, he dropped the nickname and found chart success with “I Can Feel It,” which climbed the Billboard Soul Singles chart in 1971. His career reached a new height in 1974 with his cover of Robert Knight’s “Everlasting Love,” which became the definitive version of the song, peaking in the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and continuing to rack up millions of streams decades later.
His most enduring cultural impact came in 1981 with “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She Built, She Stacked),” the Grammy-nominated funk anthem written and produced by Leon Haywood. The song became more than a hit—it evolved into a celebration of Black womanhood, style, and self-assurance, driven by a bassline that has never gone out of fashion. The track has surpassed 100 million streams, been sampled across hip-hop, featured in films including Fat Albert and Miss Congeniality 2, and became a staple stroll song for members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Following news of his passing, tributes poured in from across the music world. Funk group Con Funk Shun honored Carlton’s legacy in a social media post.
“With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of the legendary Carl Carlton,” the group wrote. “His voice, talent, and contributions to soul and R&B music will forever be a part of our lives and the soundtrack of so many memories.”
Carl Carlton was born May 21, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan, according to his family. His music—and the joy it carried—remains woven into the fabric of Black American culture.
