Def Jam exec dies from self-inflicted gunshot


Sun Nov 2, 4:41 pm ET

ATLANTA - The executive who succeeded Jay-Z as the head of hip-hop music label Def Jam Recordings died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound near Atlanta, police said Sunday.

Executive vice president Shakir Stewart, 34, died on Saturday, his New York-based label said in a statement.

Stewart was found Saturday afternoon in the bathroom of his home in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta, Cobb County police spokeswoman Cassie Reece said Sunday. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Police described the shooting as self-inflicted and would not say who discovered Stewart.

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.
The Oakland, Calif., native came to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College, where he graduated in 1996, his label said in an announcement for his promotion in June.

He previously worked with the Hitco publishing company, where he signed R&B star Beyonce, and Arista Records, where he signed R&B star Ciara.
Christopher Hicks, a friend of 18 years and fellow music executive, last spoke with Stewart about a week ago.

"Whatever happened over the past 24 hours is not a testament to who we all know," Hicks told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sunday. "He was a one-of-a-kind individual. If you looked on his Blackberry (stamp) it said 'One of one.'"

Oh wow , I read about his death yesterday but they hadn't disclosed the cause of death then.

How sad????

R.I.P thats sad..

Interesting.....RIP

Read about it yesterday. Very sad indeed. May he RIP.

Shakir Stewart’sfamily has released a statement, along with his fiance Michelle Rivers, about his apparent suicide over the weekend. The family has stated that his behavior over the past few weeks was very much out of the norm for him and seemed to be in extremely deep pain despite help from family and friends:

On Sunday (November 2), his fiancée, Michelle Rivers, released a joint statement with the rest of his family.

“We would like to thank Shakir’s friends for the tremendous outpouring of love and support we have received during this difficult time. It has helped us to cope with our overwhelming grief and sadness. It is difficult to express or explain in words what led to the tragic occurrence on Saturday. Over the past several weeks, Shakir’s behavior was inconsistent with the man we all know and love. As much as we all tried to help him, Shakir was in deep pain and largely suffering in silence. Please remember Shakir for who he was … a wonderful father, partner, son and friend.”



Christopher Hicks, a friend of 18 years and fellow music executive, last spoke with Stewart about a week ago:

“Whatever happened over the past 24 hours is not a testament to who we all know,” Hicks said Sunday. “He was a one-of-a-kind individual. If you looked on his Blackberry [stamp] it said ‘One of one.’

Stewart was 34 years old. Cobb County Police spokeswoman Cassie Reece was quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution,telling the paper that his body was found in the bathroom of his home around 4 p.m. Saturday. Apparently the earlier reports of him being found in his NY apt. were incorrect. He was taken to Kennestone hospital with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and later pronounced dead. Such sad news. R.I.P.

damn what a shame. but he wasn't there that long to be stressing was he?

Heck Kevin lyles put in work for that company and looks ten years older than him, but heck this guy I wonder why he did that to himself?

chewwsey said:

Def Jam is probaly doing very poor financially as is the entire music industry. The artists are leaving the labels and going out on their own, Jay-z knew this when he gave it up or it is possible he knew he was going to die at the hands of whomever, so he decided to take himself out...one out of one ( on his Blackberry).

Why are you assuming it has something to do with his job? It could be anything. There's really no point speculating with so little information available at the moment.

4bjb said:

wow that is deep!

yeah there really is little to go on. but I thought the cat from laface records was running def jam and scarface.

I wouldnt think it would have something to do with his job, since the labels issues with money right now are not his fault by any means, i would have to say that is was more personal, perhaps relations with his family or fiancee, but who knows, i mean they still say to this Michael Hutchence killed himself when he didnt.

R.I.P.

Sound like dude had mental issues.

Timmy84 said:

I would'nt doubt that. I do believe the..."One of one" is significant. Clearly he was unhappy with himself....sounds like something deep and dark was going on in the brother's life.

y would anybody kill themselves over any job wit the state of the economy now everything is jacked up he cant control that and music sucks now