34-year-old Def Jam executive Shakir Stewart allegedly commits suicide, shocked family and friends mourn his loss

A blazing hot new job, a hot fiancée and a phat lifestyle financed by signing singers Beyonce Knowles and discovering Ciara weren't enough to prevent 34-year-old Def Jam executive Shakir Stewart, from taking his own life on Saturday, November 1.

Stewart was the second former Def Jam employee in less than six months to allegedly commit suicide but have those who know them believing they were victims of foul play. Sadia Morrison, who once worked for the label, was murdered but her death has been ruled a suicide. Both had professional connections to members of the Black Mafia Family, whose artist Young Jeezy.


Stewart's friend of 18 years and fellow music executive, Christopher Hicks, said he last spoke to 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 November 2. "He was a one-of-a-kind individual. If you looked on his Blackberry [stamp] it said 'One of one.' I mean, Shakir is the kind of guy who would get dressed up for a party none of us were invited to.. He had no doubt he was getting in. He was a 'Where there's a will, there's a way' kind of guy. Always."

Stewart, who replaced rapper Jay Z as the head of Def Jam Records, was found dead from an alleged self-inflicted gunshot wound about 4 p.m. in the bathroom of his house on Lindsey Drive in Marietta, was then transported to Kennestone Hospital in the suburb of Atlanta, GA, according to reports.


Michelle Rivers, Stewart's fiancée, also released a joint statement with Stewart's family members stating that "Shakir's behavior was inconsistent" with the man they all know and love.

"We would like to thank Shakir's friends for the tremendous outpouring of love and support we have received during this difficult time," the statement said. "It has helped us to cope with our overwhelming grief and sadness. It is difficult to express or explain in words what led to the tragic occurrence on Saturday. Over the past several weeks, Shakir's behavior was inconsistent with the man we all know and love. As much as we all tried to help him, Shakir was in deep pain and largely suffering in silence. Please remember Shakir for who he was … a wonderful father, partner, son and friend."

Def Jam released a statement that read in part:

"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 Sunday.

"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."


"... I am only one woman. I own no TV stations, or Radio Stations or Newspapers. All I have is my voice, my spirit and the will to tell the truth. ... Assata Shakur"


source - Black Press Radio