Carl Carlton, "Bad Mama Jama" and "Everlasting Love" singer, dead at 72
A cause of death has not yet been announced.
Carl Carlton, the talented singer-songwriter best known for his classic hits “Everlasting Love” and “ She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked),” has died. He was 72.
“RIP Dad,” Carlton’s son Carlton Hudgens II wrote on social media. ”Long hard fight in life and you will be missed.”
A cause of death has not yet been announced, but the soul singer reportedly experienced health complications following a stroke in 2019.
Carlton was born in Detroit, Michigan and attended Murray–Wright High School. He launched his career in the 1960s as “Little Carl” Carlton, and his first single for the Detroit soul label Lando Records was “I Love True Love.”
The singer would later move to Texas after signing with the Houston-based Back Beat Records, where he would record several chart hits like “I Can Feel It” and “Drop By My Place.” But it was his cover of Robert Knight’s “Everlasting Love” that would put him on the path to stardom.
In 1981, Carlton released “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked),” the lead single from his album “Carl Carlton.” The funky track was nominated for a Grammy, and has been sampled all over hip-hop.
Later in his career, Carlton would tour regularly until he suffered a stroke.
“With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of the legendary Carl Carlton,” the funk band Con Funk Shun wrote on social media. “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.”
“Our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fans around the world. Rest in power, Carl. Your legacy lives on.”