Def Jam Senior VP Shakir Stewart Commits Suicide
Shakir Stewart, the man who replaced Jay-Z at Def Jam, has taken his own life for no apparent reason. Stewart was senior VP of A&R at Def Jam. In fact, he was the first label rep to to confirm that Jay-Z has a new album on the way.
According to Billboard, Shakir Stewart committed suicide today.
Def Jam executive vice president Shakir Stewart committed suicide today (Nov. 1) in New York, according to sources. No other details were available at deadline.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.
This is the saddest story I’ve heard today. I wish Stewart’s family all the best.
[Hat tip to IllRoots for the heads up]
