Carl Carlton, Singer of “Everlasting Love” and “Bad Mama Jama,” Dead at 75

Carl Carlton, the Detroit-born singer behind timeless hits like “Everlasting Love” and “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked),” died Sunday, according to his son. He was 75. A cause of death was not announced, though Carlton reportedly experienced ongoing health issues after suffering a stroke in 2019.

“RIP Dad,” his son Carlton Hudgens II wrote. “Long hard fight in life and you will be missed. Always love you.”

Carlton began performing in the 1960s under the name Little Carl Carlton, later dropping the nickname as his career took off. In 1971, he landed his first major hit on the Billboard Soul Singles chart with “I Can Feel It.” His breakthrough came in 1974 with “Everlasting Love,” a cover of Robert Knight’s song that reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and became the definitive version, earning more than 25 million Spotify streams.

He later cemented his legacy with 1981’s “She’s a Bad Mama Jama,” a Grammy-nominated single that has been widely sampled in hip hop, surpassed 100 million streams, and appeared in numerous film and television soundtracks.

GET THE FULL STORY FROM THE SOURCE

Views: 32

Reply to This

Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more

Subscribe to E-Blast

WIN TICKETS

Atmosphere
Friday, Feb 13 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Kamaiyah
Saturday, Mar 14 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Juvenile
Friday, June 5 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Connect

Members

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Latest Activity

Editor's Pick posted discussions
13 hours ago
Olivia Perry posted blog posts
yesterday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
yesterday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Thursday
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

Juvenile (WIN TICKETS) at Fox Theater, Oakland

June 5, 2026 from 8pm to 11pm
ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND ANNOUNCED 2 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT. FRIDAY, JUNE 5 Juvenile's Boiling Point Album Release Tour with The 400 Degreez BandFox…See More
Thursday
Olivia Perry posted a blog post

James Artissen & Bigg Baggz - What You Tryna Do

Artists: James Artissen, Bigg BaggzSong: What You Tryna DoEP: THE ART DEALERGenre: Hip-Hop, R&BLabel: Humble Sound RecordsProducer: 24LMG#JamesArtissen #BiggBaggz #WhatYouTrynaDo #THEARTDEALERSee More
Thursday
Editor's Pick posted videos
Wednesday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Wednesday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Tuesday
realmuzik posted a discussion

Sentury Release Highly Anticipated Single “Forever (Acoustic)”

Houston-based chart-topping R&B group Sentury return with “Forever (Acoustic),” a new single and video that strips their hit song to its emotional core. As the first R&B group in 25 years to achieve a #1 on the Billboard charts, these 9X Billboard charting…See More
Feb 1
Olivia Perry posted a blog post

Tynisha Keli - "Standing On It" (Prod by James Artissen & Ronell Sessoms)

“Standing On It” by Tynisha Keli is a bold, grown-woman anthem about self-worth, resilience, and standing ten toes down on everything you’ve worked for. Smooth R&B melodies glide over a confident, soulful production as Tynisha delivers honest lyrics rooted in experience, strength, and evolution.The song captures a moment of clarity—where excuses are gone, boundaries…See More
Feb 1
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Jan 31

© 2026   Created by Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service