The Man, The Myth, The Legend: Kenneth McGriff AKA Supreme

Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff is a name that echoes through the streets of South Jamaica, Queens — a figure etched into the annals of New York City’s underworld. Born on September 19, 1960, McGriff rose from the Baisley Park Houses to become one of the most notorious drug lords of the 1980s. His story, from kingpin to convicted felon, is one of power, influence, ambition, and ultimately, downfall.

In 1981, McGriff founded The Supreme Team, a drug trafficking organization that quickly established dominance over the crack cocaine trade in South Jamaica. What started as a small operation ballooned into a criminal empire with hundreds of members and a network so sophisticated it rivaled organized crime syndicates. The Supreme Team was known not just for its control of territory, but for its ruthlessness and militarized enforcement.

By the mid-80s, McGriff had become a household name in the streets — feared, respected, and constantly watched by law enforcement. His wealth and lifestyle mirrored that of a rap star, long before the culture fully embraced street legends.

In 1987, the law caught up. A joint federal and state task force arrested McGriff, and by 1989, he pled guilty to engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise — often dubbed the "kingpin statute." He was sentenced to 12 years in prison, though he served only about five before being released on parole in 1994. His attempt at freedom was short-lived, as he was sent back to prison the same year for violating parole conditions.

When McGriff was released again in 1997, he attempted to go legit. Teaming up with music mogul Irv Gotti, McGriff invested in filmmaking, specifically working to produce a movie adaptation of the Crime Partners novel from the Kenyatta series. The partnership linked him to Murder Inc. Records, one of the most powerful labels in hip-hop at the time.

However, McGriff's past wouldn't stay buried. His presence around Murder Inc. drew the attention of the FBI and DEA, leading to a 2003 federal raid on the label's Manhattan offices. Allegations of drug money laundering and continued involvement in criminal activity put McGriff under intense scrutiny once again.

McGriff’s legal troubles took a darker turn when he was linked to the 2001 murder of Eric “E-Moneybags” Smith, reportedly a revenge killing for the death of McGriff’s close friend Colbert “Black Just” Johnson. Authorities also suspected his involvement in the 2002 slaying of Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC and an attempted hit on rapper 50 Cent, though charges in those cases never stuck.

In 2007, McGriff was convicted of murder-for-hire, conspiracy, and drug trafficking in the Eastern District of New York. The jury found him guilty of orchestrating the murders of Smith and Troy “Big Nose” Singleton. With his assets seized and legal options dwindling, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

McGriff began his life sentence at ADX Florence, a supermax facility in Colorado, later transferred to USP Lee in Virginia, and eventually moved to USP McCreary in Kentucky, where he remains incarcerated as of the latest reports.

The story of Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff is layered. On one side, he was a brilliant strategist who commanded loyalty and fear. On the other, he became a cautionary tale — a man who tried to pivot from crime to creativity, but whose past ultimately defined his fate.

His life is a reminder of the seductive power of the streets, and the devastating consequences that often follow. From crack cocaine empires to federal courtrooms, McGriff’s journey is the stuff of legend — a real-life narrative that still casts shadows over hip-hop, street culture, and the justice system.

Supreme's legacy may live in whispers, songs, and documentaries — but his reality now exists behind bars.