Eric “E-Moneybags” Smith: The Man Who Went Against Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff — And Lost

In the shadowy world of New York’s 1980s and 1990s street power structure, few names carried more weight than Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff. As the leader of the infamous Supreme Team in Queens, McGriff built an empire rooted in fear, loyalty, and control. But every empire attracts challengers — and one of the most talked-about was Eric “E-Moneybags” Smith, a man whose ambition put him on a collision course with one of the most dangerous figures in the city.

Eric “E-Moneybags” Smith was known for his flashy lifestyle and rising influence. His nickname reflected both his money and his mindset — bold, visible, and unapologetic. In an era where respect was currency and silence was survival, Smith reportedly wanted more than a seat at the table. He wanted power that rivaled Supreme’s, a move that many around him viewed as reckless.

Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff was not just a street figure; he was a system. The Supreme Team controlled large portions of Queens’ drug trade and maintained influence through intimidation and strategic alliances. Supreme’s name alone was enough to prevent most rivals from even considering a challenge. But Smith either underestimated that reach or believed his own momentum could protect him.

According to street accounts and later court narratives, tensions escalated as Smith’s ambitions became more visible. In a world where disputes rarely stayed verbal, confrontation was inevitable. Going against Supreme wasn’t just about rivalry — it was viewed as a direct threat to the structure he had spent years building.

The consequences were swift and brutal. Eric “E-Moneybags” Smith was murdered, a killing widely believed to be connected to his conflict with McGriff’s organization. His death sent a chilling message throughout New York’s underworld: challenging Supreme McGriff came at the highest possible cost. Fear tightened its grip, and any remaining dissent dissolved overnight.

Smith’s story is often told as a cautionary tale — not just about ambition, but about misreading power. In street culture, rising fast without protection can be more dangerous than staying small. Eric Smith’s visibility, confidence, and desire to stand toe-to-toe with an established kingpin ultimately placed him in a position he could not survive.

Today, Eric “E-Moneybags” Smith is remembered less for what he built and more for how his story ended. His fate underscores the unforgiving reality of that era, where challenging the wrong person didn’t just end careers — it ended lives. And at the center of it all stands Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff, a name still synonymous with dominance, fear, and the deadly consequences of crossing the line.