Sad news coming: Funk and R&B singer Carl Carlton, best known for his iconic hit “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She Built, She Built),” has died at the age of 72. His family announced his passing on Sunday, Dec. 14.
Carlton’s son, Carlton Hudgens II, confirmed the news in a heartfelt Facebook post, writing, “R.I.P Dad, You can finally rest now. Always love you.” No cause of death has been publicly disclosed at this time.
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Carl Carlton rose to prominence in the early 1980s when “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” became a defining anthem of the funk and R&B era. Produced by Leon Haywood, the song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart and crossed over to mainstream success, cementing Carlton’s place in music history. Decades later, the record remains a staple at parties, cookouts, and old-school playlists, sampled and referenced across hip-hop and R&B culture.
For Black audiences, “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” wasn’t just a hit record. It became a soundtrack moment. The song has lived on through countless Black films and TV moments, usually popping up right when a confident woman enters the room or a scene needs instant swagger. That bassline has underscored everything from fly introductions to playful, feel-good sequences that celebrate Black beauty, attitude, and presence.
Over the years, the song became shorthand in Black cinema for confidence, sex appeal, and joy, turning Carl Carlton’s voice into a cultural cue that generations instantly recognize. Long after its release, “Bad Mama Jama” kept finding new life on screen, reminding audiences exactly why it never left rotation. Carl is also known for his great cover of “Everlasting Love.”
Beyond his signature hit, Carlton was respected as a soulful vocalist whose music helped shape the sound of an era where funk, R&B, and pop collided. His influence lived on through generations of artists and fans who grew up on his sound and kept it alive long after its original release.
Fans and fellow musicians have begun sharing tributes online, remembering Carlton not just for one legendary record, but for the joy and energy his music brought to homes and dance floors for more than four decades. His legacy continues every time that familiar groove comes on and the room reacts without hesitation.
Carl Carlton is survived by his family.