Shakir Stewart, 34, executive vice president of Island Def. Jam Music Group, died in Atlanta on November 1st of a self inflicted gun shot wound. He had been in charge of the acquisition and development of new talent at the time of his death.
According to Cobb Country Police spokeswoman Cassie Reece, Stewart’s body was found in a bathroom of his home at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. He was taken to Kenne Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Michelle Rivers, Shakir’s fiancee, released a statement indicating that Stewart had been in deep pain in the weeks leading up to his death, largely suffering in silence.
A graduate of Morehouse College, he got his start at Hitco Music Publishing, where he signed Beyonce to the label. From 2000-2004 he was an A&R consultant at LaFace Records, signing Ciara.
Stewart considered his most recent gig a ‘dream job’ according to Vh1. ‘Shake’ was hired to his current post as a replacement for Jay-Z, who moved on in December 2007. He had recently signed on artists Rocko and Karina Pasian to Def.
Late last night Def Jam issued the following statement:
“LA 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. 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 who had the privilege of counting him as a friend. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time.”
Check out a photo of Reid and Stewart below.