Carl Carlton, the acclaimed R&B/soul singer from Detroit, best known for his iconic 1981 funk hit “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked),” has passed away at the age of 72. His son, Carlton Hudgens II, confirmed the news on Facebook on Sunday, December 14, expressing profound sadness at his father’s departure after a long and hard fight. Carlton, born Carlton Hudgens, was reported to have suffered a stroke six years prior to his passing.

Born in the Motor City on May 21, 1953, Carlton began his musical journey at a very young age, performing under the moniker “Little Carl” Carlton. His early career saw him release his first singles for Lando Records in 1964, including “I Think of How I Love Her” and “I Love True Love.” The following year, he achieved local success with the songs “So What” and “Don’t You Need a Boy Like Me,” quickly gaining attention for his budding talent.

In 1968, Carlton signed with Back Beat Records, making the move to Houston to be closer to label founder Don Robey. Under this label, he released “Competition Ain’t Nothing,” which climbed to No. 36 on the Billboard R&B chart and became a cherished hit on the U.K.’s Northern Soul scene. Continuing his rise, Carlton graduated from Detroit’s Murray Wight High School in 1970 and secured his first national hit in 1971 with “I Can Feel It.” After Robey sold his label, ABC Records released a compilation of Carlton’s early singles titled You Can’t Stop a Man in Love.

Carlton’s career reached a new height in 1974 with his biggest hit, a soulful, disco-tinged cover of Robert Knight’s “Everlasting Love.” This dreamy and yearning track became his highest-charting and most enduring hit, peaking at an impressive No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in November 1974, solidifying his status as a national star.

Throughout the late 1970s, Carlton transitioned between various labels before joining 20th Century Records in the early 1980s. It was during this period that he released his most celebrated work, the Leon Haywood-penned R&B jam “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked).” This lascivious track earned Carlton a 1982 Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. The song achieved significant commercial success, peaking at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1981 and No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart. Its lasting impact is evident as it has been sampled by numerous prominent rappers, including Foxy Brown, BigXthaPlug, Flo Milli, and Das EFX.

Carlton continued to record and perform for two decades following the success of “Bad Mama Jama.” He released his fourth studio album, The Bad C.C., in 1981, followed by Private Property on Casablanca Records in 1985. The latter featured a cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” and the lively, proto-Prince funk groover “Slipped, Tripped Fooled Around and Fell in Love.” He later released Main Event in 1994 and, after a hiatus of more than a decade, issued the gospel project God Is Good, showcasing the breadth of his musical versatility and enduring commitment to his craft.