Carla Thomas is an American singer, prominent in the 1960s for her smooth, emotive style of southern soul, which became emblematic of the Memphis-based Stax Records. She is often referred to as the "Queen of Memphis Soul" and is best known for her duets with Otis Redding, including the hit song "Tramp". Her 1966 single "B-A-B-Y" further established her as a significant figure in the soul genre. Throughout her career, Thomas' music has embodied the fusion of gospel influences with rhythm and blues, contributing significantly to the development of the soul music genre.