Carl Carlton, American soul and funk singer-songwriter known for ‘She’s a Bad Mama Jama,’ dies at the age of 73

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 12:35AM

American R&B, soul and funk singer-songwriter Carl Carlton has died at the age of 73, his son Carlton Hudgens II announced Sunday on Facebook.

He is best known for his song “She’s a Bad Mama Jama,” which was released in 1981.

The song was nominated for a Grammy and has more than 100 million streams on Spotify.

Carlton reportedly had a stroke six years ago.

His cause of death has not been released.

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