Kenneth McGriff is a well-known former drug kingpin and gangster from New York City. He cemented his version of the Black Mafia in NYC over 40 years ago, got into music, and became a progenitor of gangster culture in the hip-hop industry. Please keep reading to uncover more about Kenneth McGriff, including his family, early life, drug business, and more.
Early Life and Education
Kenneth McGriff was welcomed into the world by his parents at a local hospital in New York, New York, United States, on September 19, 1960. Per his date of birth, he was born under the Virgo astrological sign. McGriff is of American nationality, black ethnicity, and was raised in Christianity.
He grew up in a South Jamaica neighborhood where cops chased gangsters daily. Kenneth grew up in a good home with support from his parents, both employed in the transportation sector. He received his education from a local school in his hometown. Currently, there is no available information about his family or education.
Quick Wiki/Bio
Name | Kenneth McGriff |
Nickname | Supreme |
Gender | Male |
Age | 63 years old |
Date of Birth | September 19, 1960 |
Place of Birth | New York, New York, United States |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Virgo |
High School | Unknown |
University | Unknown |
Credentials | Unknown |
Career
In the 1970s, McGriff left high school to join the Nation of Gods and Earths or the Five Percenters. Here, he was given the moniker “Supreme.” The Five Percenters were a black nationalist movement and not a criminal organization. The group preaches logical, remarkable, and factually confusing beliefs. Many members joined to receive inspiration.
Others utilized it as a cover for their unlawful occurrences. Kenneth followed the mob. They competed with a rival organization known as the Seven Crowns to control and distribute heroin on the local market. Competition was fierce until the 1980s.
In early 1981, McGriff left The Five Percenters and rose to notoriety when he founded his own crack cocaine distribution and manufacturing group, which he named The Supreme Team, based in the Baisley Park Houses in South Jamaica, New York. Under McGriff’s leadership, the gang grew to hundreds of members. It came to dominate the crack cocaine trade in Baisley Park, McGriff’s birthplace.
McGriff was apprehended in 1987 due to a joint state and federal investigation, and he pleaded guilty to being involved in a continuing criminal enterprise in 1989. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. After serving approximately five years of his sentence, McGriff was released on parole in early 1994. He was sent to jail on parole violations at the end of the year and served another 12 years before being released in 1997.
Relationship with Murder Inc.
Kenneth met Irv Gotti, a young D.J. who required the street notoriety that the once-famous Supreme could provide after his parole release from prison in 1994. Shortly after that, Murder Inc. was established. Among their well-known performers are Ja Rule, Ashanti, Jay-Z, DMX, and others.
He also produced the $4 million-grossing film Crime Partners, which starred Snoop Dogg and Ice-T. Through Murder Inc. Records, Kenneth earned millions of dollars. Unfortunately, he could not help but reflect on his previous efforts.
Due to McGriff’s notoriety, the FBI immediately questioned the nature of the affiliation with Murder Inc., resulting in a raid of Murder Inc.’s offices in early 2003. McGriff was accused of narcotics trafficking, while other members of Murder Inc. were charged with money laundering and conspiracy.
Crime and Arrest
McGriff was convicted of murdering rapper Eric “E-Moneybags” Smith in 2001 in revenge for the murder of McGriff’s close accomplice, Colbert “Black Just” Johnson. Additionally, federal authorities charged him with the attempted assassination of 50 Cent.
McGriff was found guilty of murder-for-hire on February 1, 2007, by a federal court in the Eastern District of New York on allegations that he paid $50,000 to have rivals Eric “E-Moneybags” Smith and Troy “Big Nose” Singleton murdered in 2001. After five days of deliberation, the jury found McGriff guilty of murder conspiracy and narcotics trafficking.
On February 9, 2007, McGriff received a life sentence. Because nearly all of his assets had been seized, he was represented by a court-appointed attorney throughout the entirety of this case.McGriff started carrying out his life sentence at the federal supermax prison, ADX Florence, in Colorado.
In 2011, he was moved to the federal facility with maximum security known as the United States Penitentiary, Lee, near Pennington Gap, Virginia. Since 2021, he has resided at USP McCreary in Pine Knob, Kentucky.
Net Worth
How rich is Kenneth McGriff? As of 2023, Kenneth McGriff’s net worth is estimated at $50 million. The once-powerful drug lord built a successful living off his involvement in the music business and criminal activity. He was transferred to the United States Penitentiary in 2021 after being found guilty and given a life sentence for many offenses.
Net Worth | $50 million |
Salary | Under Review |
Profession | Former Drug Lord and Gangster |
Personal Life
Is Kenneth McGriff married or not? Does McGriff have children? Find everything about McGriff’s marital life in the table below.
Marital Status | Unknown |
Spouse | Unknown |
Children | Khalaylah West and Charles McGriff |
Siblings | Unknown |
Hair Color | Black |
Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the net worth of Kenneth McGriff?
Kenneth McGriff’s worth is estimated to be $50 million despite his twenty years of imprisonment.
What Happened to Kenneth McGriff?
Supreme is serving a life sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary, primarily for the contract killings of “Big Nose” Troy Singleton and Eric “Moneybags” Smith.
How old is Kenneth McGriff now?
As of 2023, McGriff is 62 years old.
Where is Kenneth McGriff now?
Since 2021, he has resided at USP McCreary in Pine Knob, Kentucky.
Why did Kenneth McGriff wanted to kill 50 Cent?
Federal investigation shows Kenneth McGriff wanted to kill 50 Cent because the rapper released a song that revealed the criminal past of Kenneth McGriff.