Recently launched tell-all book “SuperFly, My Untold Story of Hip Hop” by Brentwood’s Gloria Goldwater is an inside look at one of the most influential social movements of our time.
Goldwater is a socialite who was once married to the creator of Archie Comics, John Goldwater. She was head of the Women’s Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and in 1991 she started the hip hop-influenced SuperFly Magazine.
Her new book unveils her challenging experiences during the inception and lifespan of her magazine, and was launched Oct. 8 at The Beverly Center.
“I approached my husband and told him I wanted to start a magazine,” Goldwater said. “When I told him I wanted to do a hip hop magazine, I made sure he knew that I needed his support, because I knew there was a need for a hip hop magazine. I love the music and I knew the only one who could help me was him.”
For the name of her new magazine, Goldwater took inspiration from one of the larger than life images of the 1970’s super hip film images, “Super Fly”.
“I wanted to have a name that was easily related to hip hop,” she said. “The movie ‘Super Fly’ was so powerful because of the music in the soundtrack.”
“I knew that hip hop was the same as the soundtrack for the lives of many young people, so the name made sense for the magazine,” she added. “The soundtrack of “Super Fly” was larger than the motion picture and I saw that hip hop was becoming larger than any other musical art form.”
In “Superfly, My Untold Story of Hip Hop” Goldwater tells the story of how she transitioned from coordinating big ADL events for Barbara Streisand and meeting with Senator Ted Kennedy and the Pope to a complete change of scene with hip-hop legends Kool Moe Dee, Public Enemy, Chubb Rock and LL Cool J.
SuperFly magazine’s premiere issue hit the stands in February of 1991 and saw Goldwater become a staple of the music industry, interviewing all of the hip hop stars, from Big Daddy Kane to Masta Ace, Queen Latifah and YoYo.
In her new book, Goldwater details her trials and tribulations, and her good times and bad, while running the magazine.
“The book delivers stories of working with emerging superstars, who would regularly stop by the magazine’s office to be interviewed and to hang out,” said “SuperFly” publicist, Edna Sims.
“In addition, the book details the business venture, but also outlines the personal trials of Goldwater, who lost her first husband after discontinuing the magazine. The magazine also lays out the clear purpose and mission of SuperFly Magazine.”
“SuperFly, My Untold Story of Hip Hop” reveals countless stories behind the hip hop movement and hip hop artists who were making the world pay close attention to their music.
“Goldwater and SuperFly Magazine were there,” Sims said, “and now those stories are being told.”
The book also features pictures of some of the original SuperFly Magazines and rare photos of hip hop artists in the early days of their careers.
“SuperFly, My Untold Story of Hip Hop” is published by SuperFly Publishing Company. For more information, visit www.superfly-hiphopuntoldstory.com.
