[Deathwatch] Shakir Stewart, 'Def Jam' records executive VP , unknown

[Deathwatch Central]

Def Jam Exec VP Shakir Stewart Commits Suicide

November 01, 2008

Mariel Concepcion, N.Y.

Def Jam executive VP Shakir Stewart reportedly committed suicide today
(Nov. 1) in Atlanta, according to sources. No other details were
available at deadline.

"L.A. Reid and all of us at Island Def Jam Music Group are deeply
saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Shakir
Stewart," read a statement sent from the label today. "Shakir was an
amazing man in every sense of the word. A truly incredible friend and
father who was an inspiration to not only our artists and employees,
but to his family and the many people that had the privilege of
counting him as a friend. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family
at this very difficult time."

Stewart succeeded Jay-Z at the top of the Def Jam ladder in June and
also retained his duties as senior VP of A&R at Island Def Jam. The
Oakland, Calif., native signed such artists as Rick Ross, Young Jeezy
and newcomer Karina Pasian.

Stewart cut his teeth as a music executive at Hitco Music Publishing,
where he was creative director and later senior VP of creative/GM and
signed Beyonce Knowles.

Even before he gained a rep for promoting rap concerts during his
Morehouse College days, Stewart was "the guy who was the head of
passing out fliers at seven clubs a night, seven days a week in
20-degree weather," he told Billboard this summer.

Stewart said at the time it was his goal to help develop "new, young
executives ... The hot executive who's 21, 22 years old and has a
serious passion for music and the desire to work 27 hours a day. That's
where I was at that time in my life. And that's who I'm looking to
mentor. I don't see many people like that. Instead, I see a lot of kids
who want to live the lifestyle but don't want to put in the work and do
what it takes."

Def Jam says exec who succeeded Jay-Z is dead

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City-based Def Jam Recordings says that the
executive that succeeded Jay-Z as the head of the legendary hip hop
music label has died.

The company said in a statement that executive vice president Shakir
Stewart died on Saturday. The cause of death could not immediately be
confirmed.

Stewart signed such artists as Rick Ross and Young Jeezy to the label
before being named in June to the post once filled by Jay-Z. In that
role, Stewart oversaw the development of new talent, managed producers
and guided the label's vision.

He traveled between Atlanta and New York for his job, and was a
graduate of Morehouse College.

Def Jam was founded in the mid-1980s by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin.






Many thanks to Deathwatch Central for posting this obituary