Carl Carlton, the soul and R&B singer best known for his hit “She’s a Bad Mama Jama,” has died at the age of 72. His death was confirmed by his son, Carlton Hudgens II, who shared the news in a social media post alongside a vintage photo of his father and a brief tribute honoring his long struggle and enduring legacy. The cause of death has not been made public, though Carlton had suffered a stroke six years ago.
Carlton began his music career in the 1960s and found early mainstream success in 1974 when his cover of “Everlasting Love” climbed into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. He cemented his place in music history with the release of “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” in 1981, a song that earned a Grammy nomination and became a lasting pop culture staple. The track has continued to resonate across generations, appearing in films such as Miss Congeniality 2 and television series including Friends, ensuring Carlton’s influence lived on well beyond the height of his chart success.