Carl Carlton, Funk Icon Behind ‘She’s a Bad Mama Jama,’ Dies at 72

Carl Carlton, the funk and R&B legend best known for “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” and “Everlasting Love,” has died at age 72. His son, Carlton Hudgens II, confirmed the news via social media, stating the singer had battled illness in recent years. Born in Detroit, Carlton began his career as Little Carl Carlton in the 1960s. He rose to fame with the 1974 Billboard hit “Everlasting Love” and cemented his legacy with the Grammy-nominated “Bad Mama Jama” in 1981. The latter song remains a cultural staple, widely sampled in hip-hop and frequently featured in movies and television. Carlton reportedly suffered a stroke in 2019, though no official cause of death has been released. Fans and musicians alike mourned his passing, with tributes flooding social media. Carlton’s sound blended old-school soul with a forward-thinking funk aesthetic that helped shape modern R&B, earning him a lasting place in music history.

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Source: BET