Superfly
Superfly is an adjective and noun in African-American Vernacular English denoting a person who is exceptionally stylish, confident, and suave, often implying ostentatious flair or success in illicit urban hustling, with roots in early 1970s slang.[1][2] The term gained prominence through the 1972 blaxploitation film Super Fly, which depicted a Harlem cocaine dealer named Priest pursuing financial independence via high-stakes deals, and its accompanying soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield, whose title track explicitly defined superfly as emblematic of upscale fashion, luxury vehicles, and aspirational excess amid systemic constraints.[3]  The film's portrayal of self-reliant entrepreneurship in the drug trade, coupled with Mayfield's funk-soul score critiquing exploitation while celebrating resilience, embedded superfly in popular culture as a symbol of defiant coolness, influencing fashion, music, and attitudes toward street-level capitalism.[4] Despite criticisms from some quarters for potentially glamorizing narcotics over legitimate paths—claims often amplified by establishment sources wary of black cultural autonomy—the archetype resonated empirically with era-specific data on urban economic pressures, where formal opportunities were limited, fostering informal economies as rational responses to causal barriers like discrimination and underinvestment.[5] (Note: remake review contextualizes original's legacy.) Later iterations, including a 2018 film remake and Nike's Superfly athletic footwear line launched in the 2000s for speed-focused sports, extended the motif into modern consumerism, though the core connotation remains tied to original first-principles of individual agency amid adversity.[6][7] The term's endurance highlights causal realism in cultural evolution: not mere media invention, but a vernacular capture of adaptive strategies in environments where state interventions failed to deliver prosperity, predating and paralleling broader recognitions of structural incentives driving underground economies. Primary sources like Mayfield's lyrics prioritize unvarnished depictions over sanitized narratives, underscoring superfly's truth as aspirational realism rather than moral panic fodder from biased institutional critiques.Films
Super Fly (1972 film)
Super Fly is a 1972 American crime drama film directed by Gordon Parks Jr. in his feature directorial debut, starring Ron O'Neal as Youngblood Priest, a Harlem-based cocaine dealer determined to amass $1 million for a final deal to fund his retirement from the drug trade. Written by Philip Fenty from an original story inspired by New York City street life, the screenplay centers on Priest's navigation of betrayals, police corruption, and mob pressures while employing guile to outmaneuver adversaries. Produced by Sig Shore under Superfly Ltd., the film was shot guerrilla-style in Harlem using minimal resources, including siphoned street electricity, and released by Warner Bros. on August 4, 1972, with a runtime of 96 minutes.[8][9] The plot follows Priest, dressed in ostentatious fur coats and driving a custom Cadillac, as he rejects subservience to white mob suppliers and corrupt law enforcement, opting instead for a high-stakes independent operation with his partner Eddie (Carl Lee). Facing threats from a treacherous kingpin (Julius W. Harris) and a duplicitous deputy commissioner (Sig Shore, billed as Mike Richards), Priest resorts to violence and deception, including staging his own death, to secure his exit and protect his girlfriend Georgia (Sheila Frazier). Curtis Mayfield's soundtrack, featuring tracks like "Freddie's Dead," underscores the narrative's themes of ambition amid urban decay, with lyrics critiquing the drug economy's toll.[8][9] Produced on a budget under $500,000, primarily financed by Harlem investors including Black dentists and supplemented by credit cards and support from Gordon Parks Sr., the film exemplified independent Black filmmaking amid limited Hollywood opportunities. Parks Jr. captured authentic location footage in New York City, emphasizing raw street realism over polished sets. Supporting cast includes Charles McGregor as Fat Freddie and Idris Muhammad in a bit role, with Mayfield's score earning a Grammy nomination for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture.[8][9][10] Despite generating initial grosses of $20 million within seven months and exceeding $30 million overall, briefly displacing The Godfather at the box office, the film drew sharp criticism from civil rights groups like the NAACP for allegedly glorifying drug dealing, violence, and criminality among Black characters, prompting NAACP entertainment chairman Junius Griffin to coin the term "blaxploitation" to decry such depictions as exploitative stereotypes. Proponents countered that Priest's agency and critique of systemic corruption offered a defiant antihero model, reflecting post-civil rights frustrations with economic marginalization rather than endorsement of vice. Its commercial triumph—yielding substantial profits from low costs—highlighted audience appetite for unfiltered urban narratives, influencing subsequent crime films and prompting sequels like Super Fly T.N.T. (1973).[8][9]Superfly (2018 film)
Superfly is a 2018 American action crime thriller film directed by Julien Christian Lutz, known professionally as Director X, and written by Alex Tse.[7] It serves as a remake of the 1972 blaxploitation film Super Fly, reimagining the story in contemporary Atlanta, where the protagonist operates in the cocaine trade. The film stars Trevor Jackson in the lead role of Youngblood Priest, a stylish drug dealer seeking to exit the criminal underworld through a high-stakes final operation amid threats from rivals and law enforcement.[7] Supporting cast includes Jason Mitchell as Priest's enforcer and best friend Eddie, Michael Kenneth Williams as the ruthless supplier Scatter, Lex Scott Davis as Priest's girlfriend Georgia, and Jennifer Morrison as Detective Monica Reardon.[11] Additional notable roles feature Esai Morales, KaDee Strickland, and Jacob Latimore.[11] The narrative follows Priest, who controls a significant portion of Atlanta's drug market and aims to amass enough wealth for retirement, complicated by internal betrayals, corrupt police, and escalating violence.[12] Production occurred primarily in Atlanta, emphasizing the city's role as a modern hub for urban culture and crime, with filming wrapping in early 2017 under Sony Pictures' oversight.[13] The reported production budget ranged from $16 million according to Sony, though some industry estimates suggested costs up to $29 million including marketing. The film features a hip-hop influenced soundtrack curated by executive music producer Future, incorporating trap music elements reflective of Atlanta's scene.[14] Released theatrically on June 13, 2018, by Sony Pictures Releasing, Superfly opened in 2,220 theaters and grossed $6.87 million in its debut weekend. It ultimately earned $20.5 million domestically, with minimal international distribution yielding a worldwide total of approximately $20.8 million, failing to fully recoup its budget at the box office.[15] Critical reception was mixed, with a 51% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 101 reviews, averaging 5.4/10; the consensus noted its stylish visuals and action but criticized narrative inconsistencies and overreliance on genre tropes.[14] Roger Ebert's review awarded 2.5 out of 4 stars, praising the remake's fidelity to the original's themes of disillusionment in crime while observing increased violence and a larger budget that amplified spectacle over substance.[12] User ratings on IMDb averaged 5.3/10 from nearly 8,000 votes, with complaints centering on plot holes, excessive stylistic flourishes, and portrayals reinforcing stereotypes of urban drug culture.[7] Some critics, such as those from MovieWeb, condemned the film for misogynistic elements and glorification of criminality, describing it as "stupid, senseless, infuriating garbage."[16] Others highlighted its entertainment value as a neo-blaxploitation entry, appreciating the swagger and visual indulgence despite flaws.[17] Audience scores were more favorable, with many appreciating the lead performance and action sequences.[14]Super Fly T.N.T. (1973 film)
Super Fly T.N.T. is a 1973 American blaxploitation crime drama film directed by and starring Ron O'Neal in the role of Youngblood Priest, reprising his character from the 1972 film Super Fly.[18] The screenplay was written by Alex Haley from a story by O'Neal and producer Sig Shore, with cinematography by Robert Gaffney and editing by Bob Brady.[19] The plot follows Priest, who has retired from drug dealing in Harlem with his girlfriend Georgia (Sheila Frazier), relocating to Europe where he becomes entangled in an international smuggling operation tied to a revolution in an African nation.[20] Key supporting roles include Roscoe Lee Browne as Dr. Lamine Sonko, Robert Guillaume as Jordan Gaines, and Jacques Sernas as Matty Smith.[21] Filmed with a budget of approximately $1.5 million, the production shifted from the urban Harlem setting of the original to international locations in Rome and simulated African environments, emphasizing Priest's transition to global intrigue.[22] Initially set for distribution by Warner Bros., the film was dropped by the studio in May 1973 and subsequently picked up by Paramount Pictures for release on June 15, 1973, with a running time of 87 minutes.[19] The narrative expands on Priest's anti-hero persona, portraying his involvement in arms smuggling and political upheaval, though critics noted its departure from the original's gritty street-level action toward more dialogue-heavy espionage elements.[23] Upon release, Super Fly T.N.T. received largely negative reviews for its slow pacing, lack of action, and failure to recapture the original's energy, with The New York Times describing it as a "wet firecracker" that was "long on talk and short on action."[23] Aggregate critic scores reflect this, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting an 18% approval rating based on four reviews.[20] Commercially, the film underperformed significantly compared to its predecessor, marking it as a box-office disappointment and halting further immediate sequels in the franchise.[24]Music
Super Fly (1972 soundtrack)
Super Fly is the soundtrack album for the 1972 blaxploitation film Super Fly, composed, arranged, conducted, and produced by Curtis Mayfield. Released on July 11, 1972, by Curtom Records, it serves as Mayfield's third studio album and consists of nine tracks blending funk, soul, and wah-wah guitar-driven grooves with lyrics decrying the perils of drug addiction and the pusher lifestyle.[25][26] Unlike the film, which depicts cocaine dealing in a somewhat glamorous light through its protagonist Priest's quest for one final score, Mayfield intentionally crafted songs to underscore the moral and social decay of the trade, viewing the movie as akin to a "cocaine infomercial."[27] The album's production occurred rapidly after Mayfield was approached by director Gordon Parks Jr., with recording sessions emphasizing live instrumentation including horns, bass, and Mayfield's signature falsetto vocals to convey urgency and critique urban poverty's cycles. Key tracks like "Pusherman" portray the dealer's seductive yet insidious role, while instrumentals such as "Junkie Chase" evoke the film's action sequences with tense, percussive rhythms. Mayfield's approach prioritized narrative depth over mere accompaniment, resulting in a cohesive statement on systemic issues facing Black communities, including exploitation and false escapes via narcotics.[28] Commercially, Super Fly topped the Billboard 200 for four consecutive weeks starting October 21, 1972, and the R&B albums chart, driven by hit singles "Freddie's Dead (Theme from Superfly)," which reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Hot R&B Singles chart, and the title track "Superfly," peaking at number 8 on the Hot 100 and number 5 on the R&B chart.[29][30] The RIAA certified the album Gold on December 21, 1972, for 500,000 units shipped, reflecting strong sales bolstered by the film's cultural impact and the singles' radio play.[31] Critically, the soundtrack has endured as a pinnacle of 1970s soul and funk, praised for its innovative fusion of social realism with infectious grooves that outshone many contemporaries in the blaxploitation genre. Reviewers highlight its lyrical prescience and musical sophistication, with tracks like "Give Me Your Love (Love Song)" offering melodic respite amid the thematic grit, cementing its status as one of the era's most accomplished film scores.[32][28]Track listing
All tracks written, arranged, and produced by Curtis Mayfield.[26]- "Little Child Runnin' Wild" – 5:23
- "Pusherman" – 5:04
- "Freddie's Dead (Theme from Superfly)" – 5:27
- "Junkie Chase (Instrumental)" – 1:36
- "Give Me Your Love (Love Song)" – 4:09 (featuring The Mayfield Singers)
- "Eddie You Should Know Better" – 4:25 (featuring The Mayfield Singers)
- "No Thing on Me (Cocaine Song)" – 5:37
- "Think (Instrumental)" – 4:11
- "Superfly" – 3:55
"Superfly" (1972 song)
"Superfly" is a funk-soul song written, arranged, produced, and performed by Curtis Mayfield as the title track for the soundtrack to the 1972 blaxploitation film Super Fly. Recorded in mid-1972 at Curtom Studios in Chicago, it features Mayfield's signature falsetto vocals layered over a driving bass groove, wah-wah guitar riffs by Phil Upchurch, and percussive elements including congas, emphasizing a gritty urban rhythm that mirrors the film's Harlem setting.[25][33] The track runs approximately 3:55 in length and serves as the soundtrack's opener, while also appearing over the film's closing credits to underscore the protagonist Youngblood Priest's defiant exit from the drug trade.[34] Released as the second single from the Super Fly soundtrack on October 1972 via Curtom Records, following "Freddie's Dead" in July, "Superfly" achieved commercial success amid the soundtrack's dominance, which topped the Billboard 200 for four weeks starting October 21, 1972.[29][35] The single climbed to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1973 and number 5 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, contributing to the album's certification of platinum sales by the RIAA.[29] Its chart performance reflected broader appeal beyond soul audiences, boosted by the film's popularity and Mayfield's shift from Impressions frontman to solo artist critiquing social ills through music.[36] Lyrically, "Superfly" employs ironic bravado to depict the film's cocaine dealer protagonist as a stylish, cunning survivor—"the man of the hour, the fly of the year"—who outsmarts corrupt systems, yet Mayfield infused the narrative with cautionary undertones highlighting the futility and moral decay of such a life.[37][38] Mayfield, drawing from his Chicago upbringing amid poverty and crime, rejected outright glorification of dealers, stating he lacked personal familiarity with them and aimed to expose the "super fly" persona as a deceptive trap rather than aspirational heroism, contrasting the film's surface-level empowerment trope.[29][35] This approach marked a politically conscious pivot in blaxploitation soundtracks, prioritizing realism over escapism and influencing later funk and hip-hop critiques of urban hustling.[36] Critically, the song and its parent album received acclaim for Mayfield's innovative production and lyrical depth, with contemporaneous reviews praising its blend of commercial accessibility and anti-establishment messaging; for instance, it was inducted into the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry in 2013 for its cultural significance in soul music and social commentary.[36] Over time, "Superfly" popularized slang like "fly" for stylish excellence, permeating fashion and vernacular, while cover versions and samples in hip-hop—such as by artists like Jay-Z—underscore its enduring influence, though Mayfield's original intent as ironic caution often receives less emphasis in popular reinterpretations.[37][39]Superfly (Japanese band)
Superfly is a Japanese rock and pop music act led by singer-songwriter Shiho Ochi, recognized for its blend of soul, funk, and hard rock elements delivered through Ochi's dynamic vocal range. Formed in 2004 as a duo with guitarist and composer Koichi Tabo, the project transitioned to a solo endeavor for Ochi following Tabo's departure from live performances shortly after its major debut, though Tabo continued contributing as a songwriter. Ochi, born on February 25, 1984, in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, handles lyrics and vocals, drawing influences from artists like Janis Joplin to craft emotionally charged songs.[40][41][42] The act's major label debut occurred on April 4, 2007, with the single "Hello Hello," released under Warner Music Japan, marking the start of a series of chart successes. This was followed by additional singles such as "Ai wo Komete Hanataba wo" in February 2008, which topped the Oricon charts and achieved double platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for over 500,000 digital downloads, boosted by its use in Honda Fit advertisements. The self-titled debut album, Superfly, released on May 14, 2008, also reached number one on the Oricon weekly albums chart and earned double platinum status for shipments exceeding 500,000 units. The subsequent album, Box Emotions (2009), similarly received double platinum certification, solidifying Superfly's commercial breakthrough with sales driven by radio play and tie-ins to media.[40][41] Key hits include "Alright!!" (January 2009), the opening theme for the television drama Boss, which garnered double platinum digital certification, and "Dancing on the Fire" (2010), awarded Best Rock Video at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan. Later releases such as "Kakusei" (2019) and "Ashes" (2023) maintained momentum, with the latter tied to promotional campaigns. Superfly's discography encompasses eight studio albums, including Mind Travel (2011), Force (2012), and the seventh studio album Heat Wave (2023), alongside a cover album, Amazing (June 2023), featuring reinterpretations of classic tracks. The act has performed at major festivals like Fuji Rock and released live recordings, such as from the 2019 Arena Tour "0." In personal developments, Ochi married keyboardist Daisuke Kanazawa of the band Fujifabric on April 17, 2018.[43][40][44]Superfly (2018 soundtrack)
The Superfly (2018 soundtrack), officially titled SUPERFLY (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), serves as the accompanying album for the 2018 film remake directed by Director X. Rapper Future curated and executive produced the project, drawing on contemporary hip-hop and R&B talents to update the blaxploitation aesthetic of the 1972 original. Released on June 8, 2018, via Epic Records and Future's Freebandz imprint in collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment, the album comprises 13 tracks emphasizing trap-influenced beats and themes of ambition, street life, and excess.[45][46][47] The tracklist features Future on multiple cuts, alongside guests such as 21 Savage, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Lil Wayne, Young Thug, Khalid, Miguel, Gunna, Yung Bans, Sleepy Brown, Scar, and H.E.R. Standout singles include "What's Up With That" by Future featuring 21 Savage and "No Shame" by Future featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR, which blend melodic hooks with gritty lyricism reflective of the film's narrative. The full listing is as follows:| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "If You Want It" | Sleepy Brown featuring Scar | 3:41 |
| 2 | "What's Up With That" | Future featuring 21 Savage | 2:50 |
| 3 | "No Shame" | Future featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR | 3:39 |
| 4 | "Bag" | Gunna featuring Lil Wayne | 3:22 |
| 5 | "Drive" | Lil Wayne featuring H.E.R. | 3:20 |
| 6 | "Code of Honor" | Blacc Cuzz featuring Future | 2:53 |
| 7 | "Lightyears" | Khalid | 2:29 |
| 8 | "6900" | Miguel | 3:59 |
| 9 | "Shinin" | Future | 3:57 |
| 10 | "Am I Wrong" | Yung Bans | 2:40 |
| 11 | "Money on the Table" | Young Thug | 3:16 |
| 12 | "Trap God" | Rozzy Hart featuring Future | 3:04 |
| 13 | "After Dark" | Future | 3:30 |