Def Jam Exec VP Shakir Stewart Commits Suicide

OneManArmy · 11-02-2008, 01:34 AM

Def Jam Exec VP Shakir Stewart Commits Suicide
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November 01, 2008 , 9:10 PM ET

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."

Additional reporting by Gail Mitchell, L.A.

Source:

driscollrecording · 11-02-2008, 01:50 AM

r.i.p.

i hate when people do this shit...

Lyrical Menace · 11-02-2008, 02:00 AM

yet another an hero

MalitiaMan · 11-02-2008, 04:43 AM

they said he committed suicide if he did...then thats his ass...he out like a broken lightbulb

anzee11 · 11-02-2008, 10:53 AM

I don't know if he had a family, but if he did, that was the ultimate selfish act. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, as they say.

Jayse · 11-02-2008, 11:05 AM

Damn. Rest in peace homie.

GMNRecordsCT3 · 11-02-2008, 08:21 PM

damn that suuuks

11-02-2008, 01:34 AM	#1
OneManArmy Super Moderatоr Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: enecS eht no kcaB Posts: 10,931 Repped: 2,653 Repped 665 Times in 355 Posts Neg Reps: 149 Neg Repped at 48 Times in 44 Posts	Def Jam Exec VP Shakir Stewart Commits Suicide Def Jam Exec VP Shakir Stewart Commits Suicide Def Jam Exec VP Shakir Stewart Commits Suicide Similar Stories \| Topics November 01, 2008 , 9:10 PM ET 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." Additional reporting by Gail Mitchell, L.A. Source: __________________

11-02-2008, 08:21 PM	#7
GMNRecordsCT3 Macaroni wit the Cheeesse Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wash Heights, NYC Posts: 17,607 Repped: 6,779 Repped 2,309 Times in 618 Posts Neg Reps: 202 Neg Repped at 50 Times in 40 Posts	damn that suuuks __________________ myspace.com/bummydavis - soundclick.com/gmnproductions "The name on my car insurance is YOUR FUKIN FAULT!!"

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11-02-2008, 01:50 AM	#2
driscollrecording Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cooper, Maine Posts: 32 Repped: 0 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	r.i.p. i hate when people do this shit...

11-02-2008, 02:00 AM	#3
Lyrical Menace Duh Nigga Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: ima G Posts: 10,614 Repped: 3,504 Repped 482 Times in 90 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 5 Times in 5 Posts	yet another an hero

11-02-2008, 04:43 AM	#4
MalitiaMan Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 309 Repped: 27 Repped 150 Times in 35 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 4 Times in 4 Posts	they said he committed suicide if he did...then thats his ass...he out like a broken lightbulb

11-02-2008, 10:53 AM	#5
anzee11 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,252 Repped: 389 Repped 77 Times in 48 Posts Neg Reps: 14 Neg Repped at 3 Times in 3 Posts	I don't know if he had a family, but if he did, that was the ultimate selfish act. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, as they say.

11-02-2008, 11:05 AM	#6
Jayse Veteran Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pallet Town Posts: 1,650 Repped: 54 Repped 259 Times in 119 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Neg Reps: 8 Neg Repped at 5 Times in 4 Posts	Damn. Rest in peace homie.