Posted Nov. 1, 2008 -- Earlier today, the music industry was saddened with the news that Def Jam's Executive Vice President Shakir Stewart committed suicide. Though the details of this story are sketchy, some sources are saying that Stewart was found in New York with a gunshot wound to the head. The news of his death was first reported over the airwaves in Atlanta by WVEE deejay Greg Street.
Shakir Stewart was appointed to his position at Def Jam by L.A. Reid back in June after the post was vacated by Jay-Z. Stewart was responsible for signing such acts as Rick Ross, Karina Parisian and Young Jeezy.
The Oakland, California-native graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta before going on to sign Ciara and Beyonce to Hitco Publishing, where he worked before leaving for Def Jam in 2004.
Please post your thoughts and prayers for the family. He will truly be missed by so many of us...
this is a man that i can say inspierd me because where im from we are not really modivated 2 make major moves in our lives we are always proted a bunch of restrictions so when i see one of the people out of my community cross that line of limit and achive wha most thought wasnt possible it only makes me want 2 feel what they have felt even more .... r.i.p. shakir