Shakir Stewart, Jay-Z's Successor At Def Jam, Suicides

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.

The record label issued a statement Sunday on behalf of Stewart's fiancee, Michelle Rivers, and his family.

"Over the past several weeks, Shakir's behavior was inconsistent with the man we all know and love," the statement said. "As much as we all tried to help him, Shakir was in deep pain and largely suffering in silence."

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.'"

Def Jam called Stewart "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 who had the privilege of counting him as a friend."

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Def Jam Recordings: http://www.defjam.com/

Comments

[AngelInFlorida]

Maybe a stock market crashed carried him out of the game, that would not be too far fetched. If so, thank Bush first, then McCain/Plain for the next few.

RIP

So young.

[invisible]

WTF?!?!?! This is weird. VERY weird. His ascension was just beginning.­..

[pgurlatl]

Ok, some reports say he died in NYC and some reports say Atlanta. That to me indicates a poor attempt at covering something up. First reports were that he died of a gunshot wound and suicide was never mentioned until later reports.

Something is fishy here. And since he is a music industry mogul, a cover up would not be too far off the mark probably.

[harriettubman]

Suicide, mental illness and homosexuality are still stigmas in some black communities so you may be right about a cover up. Look at Isaiah Thomas saying he wasn't the 47 yr old black man who was unconscious when the police arrived at his home. He had tried to pin that overdose on his 17 yr old daughter!!! However, the police chief says Isaiah is lying.

[Swerinjer2]

So was he east coast or west coast?

[Matt7]

That was media hype. If it were anything "important" you'd know already.

[drsmc41]

RIP.

[BlueGuyEducatingtheReds]

I went to college with him. I was a couple of classes ahead of him, but did know him. He was a part of one of the classes I mentored when they were freshmen. Information is limited right now, but I am highly skeptical of the suicide. We'll have to see what the evidence holds. Either way, it's sad to see him leave us so soon.

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003886223

Just sad, everyone should start reading about what triggers depression and it's the number one cause of suicide. When we can think about depression in the same line as cancer, we will be better for it.

[ZimboChick]

Very well said. Depression is really that thief that creeps in at night. May he RIP

[who38]

True enough. The rumors have been floating about Vince Young as well. Isn't it a shame that we can acknowledge the high prevelance of autism and understand that it is a disease, but still cannot do the same for depression or alcoholism?

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes, and now I'm on a mission to talk about this! Black people can be Depressed just like White, Asian or Hispanic..­. Education is the key. Obama we need you more than ever.

[jahzilla]

My condolences to his family and all who called this man a friend.
Damn.

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

He could have had a heart-attack, not un-common in the black community. Everything is not about drugs... Let's see what comes out of it!

If it was a suicide, you need to understand depression is very big and not talked about. I'm a major supporter of more education on depression and bipolar disease. Just like Cancer this too needs to be addressed. Shame on everyone for not taking it more seriously. I'm happy to say that Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are starting to talk about this type of issues in their platform.

[Wanjiru]

...A heart attack?...

...and the gun-shot wound?....

.

[janinei]

Peace be with you and your family. I am very sorry about your loss

[jayded]

I heard he committed suicide.

wonder what's behind that, committing suicide once you reach the pinnacle of your career, and especially at such a young age.

[1question]

"...all answers to all questions are to found in the mirror or the closet..."

[strangerinthenight]

... and it's PREDICTABLE, AS USUAL !

[crayola 08]

that's a good quote. sounds like something Oscar Wilde might say if he were alive today.

[ZimboChick]

hmm seriously?

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

Depression is a large part of suicide. I wish the USA would have more education of this issue.

[jayded]

this is very, very true...

[chronic]

Very very very true!

[hellifiknow]

Attn: HuffPo editors

This was a suicide as has been reported elsewhere.­....

[SHOPARAZZI]

he really turned def jam around during his short tenure. condolences to his fam and friends and colleagues at def jam.

[JamieJay]

Death by self-inflicted gunshot wound or suicide? HARD TO BELIEVE! Early reports are saying that they found him dead in NYC, but he actually died in ATL. We believe that he was killed.

[strangerinthenight]

but regardless, as usual very PREDICTABLE !

[ZimboChick]

you are getting what you deserve

[Lala11 7]

People like you don't need to be on this planet...

The world would be a better place...

[sueno]

R.I.P.