Carl Carlton, the Detroit-born funk and R&B singer behind enduring hits like “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” and a Top 10 cover of “Everlasting Love,” has died at the age of 72 after a long illness, his son Carlton Hudgens II announced on Facebook.
- Fast Facts:
- Age at death: 72. Announcement posted by son Carlton Hudgens II on December 14, 2020.
- Health: Suffered a stroke six years before his death.
- Born: 1953 in Detroit, Michigan; began performing in the 1960s as “Little Carl Carlton.”
- Breakthroughs: 1971 hit “I Can Feel It” on the Billboard Soul Singles chart; 1974 Top 10 hit with “Everlasting Love.”
- Legacy streams: “Everlasting Love” ~25M Spotify streams; “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” over 100M streams and a Grammy nomination.
Carlton’s passing was confirmed on social media by his son, who shared a photo and a short message in memory of his father. Reports published by Soultracks.com and other outlets note that the singer had been living with the effects of a stroke suffered several years earlier.
The Legacy
Carl Carlton’s career spanned decades, from his start as Little Carl Carlton in Detroit to mainstream success in the 1970s and beyond. Three highlights that define his legacy:
- “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” — Carlton’s signature hit that earned a Grammy nomination, has been streamed over 100 million times, widely sampled and licensed for films and TV.
- “Everlasting Love” — His 1974 cover reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a streaming favorite with more than 25 million Spotify plays.
- Early breakthrough: “I Can Feel It” and the decision to drop “Little” from his stage name in 1971 after chart success, which marked his full transition to adult R&B and funk stardom.
Beyond chart numbers, Carlton’s smooth baritone and funk grooves influenced generations of R&B and hip-hop artists. “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” has been featured in films such as Miss Congeniality 2 and Fat Albert and used in TV programs — a sign of how Carlton’s music threaded into pop culture.
Social Proof & Tributes
Tributes poured in from fans, fellow musicians and collaborators. Carlton Hudgens II’s Facebook post—short, personal and shared via Stories—offered a private family goodbye. Funk band Confunkshun posted on Facebook, writing, “With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of the legendary Carl Carlton… His voice, talent, and contributions to soul and R&B music will always be part of our lives and the soundtrack to many of our memories. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fans around the world. Rest in Power Carl. Your legacy will live on.”
As news spread across social platforms, longtime fans revisited his catalog and younger listeners discovered Carlton’s recordings through samples and streaming playlists — a testament to a career that bridged eras.
We will continue to update this story as more details and official statements from family or representatives become available. For now, fans and the music community are honoring Carl Carlton’s contribution to funk and R&B and remembering the songs that became the soundtrack to so many lives.
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