R&B Legend Carl Carlton Passes Away at 73

Carl Carlton, the renowned R&B artist famous for the 1981 hit “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” and the 1972 classic “Everlasting Love,” has died at 73. His son, Carlton Hudgens II, shared the sad news on Facebook, describing his father’s life as a long and tough battle.

“Rest in Peace, Dad. Legendary Carl Carlton singer of ‘She’s a Bad Mama Jama.’ Life has been a long, tough battle and you will be missed,” he wrote, posting a photo of his father.

In the same post, Hudgens pointed out that various media outlets had incorrectly reported his father’s birth year, stating that Carlton was born on May 21, 1952, not 1953 as Wikipedia has it. “I hope they fix it ASAP,” he added.

Hudgens also shared a heartfelt tribute on her Facebook Story, emphasizing her love for her father and stating, “Rest in peace dad. You can finally rest. I love you always.” In a later update, he asked for prayers for his daughter, mentioning her emotional struggle with her grandfather’s passing.

Although the official cause of death hasn’t been revealed, reports suggest that Carlton faced health complications following a stroke six years ago.

Birthed as Carlton Hudgens in Detroit, Michigan, he kicked off his music career in the 1960s under the name Little Carl Carlton. He hit the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974 with his rendition of “Everlasting Love.” After dropping the “Little” from his stage name, he became widely recognized for “She’s a Bad Mama Jama,” which earned a Grammy nomination in 1981 and has since been featured in various movies and TV shows, including Miss Congeniality and Friends.

Following the news of his death, many took to social media to pay their respects. “Rest in peace Carlton, thank you for the great music and memories,” one user remarked, while another noted, “His music will live on.” Comments continued to pour in, celebrating his contributions to R&B and lamenting the loss of yet another legend.

One fan declared, “Carl Carlton, the lyricist and singer of the greatest song of all time, ‘She’s Bad Mama Jama,’ has passed away!” while others expressed regret over losing such an underrated talent.

Carl Carlton leaves behind a legacy defined by timeless music that will surely be missed.