Shakir Stewart …

necolebitcie.com
Today Def Jam Executive Vice President Shakir Stewart’s body was found at his Atlanta home in an apparent suicide attempt. Sources close to the family are saying he is currently on life support and his mother is on the way to the hospital from Oakland. His girlfriend and child was at home at the time.

Updated at 11:22pm: Just received a call that he has passed on. Such a tremendous Loss. Condolences to the family.

Here is a write up courtesy of MTV

Def Jam Executive Vice President Shakir Stewart, who replaced Jay-z at the helm of the label and signed such artists as Rick Ross and Young Jeezy, died Saturday (November 1). According to reports, he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Further details were not available at press time.

A native of Oakland, California, Stewart was appointed executive vice president in June, which he called his dream job. A graduate of Atlanta’s Morehouse College, he previously worked at Hitco Music Publishing, to which he signed Beyoncé, according to Billboard. He was an A&R consultant at LaFace Records from 2000 to 2004 and signed Ciara to the label. He recently signed up-and-coming artists Rocko and Karina Pasian to Def Jam.

Stewart succeeded Jay-Z, who resigned his post at Def Jam in December of last year, in June. He told Billboard at the time that his goal was 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.”

On a personal note, Shakir, or “Shake,” as his friends call him, was one of the coolest. Saturday night on Atlanta radio, legendary DJ and longtime friend Greg Street saluted him.

Authorities investigating the matter could not be reached for comment at press time. -MTV

Comment by Greg on November 2, 2008 at 12:22am: Dam man thats crazy R.I.P

Comment by Joshua on November 2, 2008 at 12:51am: that is crazy...RIP Shakir Stewart you have done alot of great things and will truly be missed

Comment by S.T.A.R. on November 2, 2008 at 12:58am: R.I.P. Shake

Comment by Rebelutions on November 2, 2008 at 1:01am: I'm at a loss of words. Kinda hits home cause I lost my older brother to suicide and I also got a chance to kick it with Shake a few times. My condolences go out to his family, his asst., Dina and everyone at Def Jam/UMVD. God Bless...