R.I.P. Shakir Stewart; Exec Replaced Jay Z At Def Jam

Def Jam executive Vice President Shakir Stewart was found dead in his Marietta, GA home on Saturday. Sources say 34-year-old Stewart shot himself in the head. His longtime girlfriend and infant son were in the home at the time.

Friends say his girlfriend found him around 4 PM in an upstairs bathroom after hearing a popping sound.

Stewart was transported to Kennestone Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Friends and associates of Stewart’s said LA Reid, CEO of Def Jam, took a strong liking to the hardworking young man straight out of Morehouse college. After working for Noontime Records early in his career, Stewart never worked for anyone else in the industry but Reid.

Sources say Reid trusted Stewart and treated him better than his own son. Reid placed Stewart in top positions at his companies including LaFace Records and his publishing house HitCo.

When LaFace merged into Arista Records in 2000, Reid took Stewart to Arista with him. When Reid accepted the CEO position at Def Jam, he once again looked out for Stewart while his loyal LaFace employees were left to fend for themselves.

The source denied allegations that Reid may have pushed Stewart too hard to produce results after Jay Z left the position at Def Jam. The source said, if anything, Stewart pushed himself too hard.

Another industry insider said he doubted job stress was a factor. “people in the industry know he didn’t have job stress,” said the source. “He flew to New York First Class three times a week. He spent the weekends in Atlanta partying. What stress did he have? Jay Z had the same job and he wasn’t trippin’ at all! [Shakir] only had the job for four months! [Def Jam] is going to put it out there that he had job stress because they know people want stories. But he didn’t have any stress at all.”

Tastemaker and lifestyle consultant Kenny Burns, who met Stewart when they were students at Morehouse, said in a text message to SR.com, “I’ve known Shakir Stewart since I was 19 years old. We immediately connected because of our old school ways and values. My friend was a Man’s Man! They don’t make em like that anymore! He will be missed… We are all the same age. Cut from the same cloth! Very Sad! He is the first to go from our crew and will be missed deeply!”

Shakir Stewart poses with longtime friend Kenny Burns. Photos: Wireimage/Getty

Kymystry

Suicide is a permanant solution to a temp prob ..
now the longtime GIRLFRIEND is in limbo .. she’s NOT the wife .. just the “wifey”

Wow .. this is crazy …
so young .. so much ahead of him … wow …
http://myspace.com/bettathaniwasb4 2bme

damn..i saw this earlier..i’ll leave my thoughts about suicide to myself..i’ll pray that his family will heal..gone too soon
Anna

This is selfish. If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen. @Kymstry, you are right. She is only the long time gf. She has no say in anything and unless he had a will she is not entitled to anything. His parents/siblings can kick her out of his house.
ATL_HONEY

Sandra how do u manage to a report a story of this substance and remain true to yourself….being messy!

on to my comment:
this indeed is sad but this is the ultimate sin. There’s no repentance from suicide. Also such a selfish act. Now there’s another fatherless black child in our community. Along w/ leaving ure family w/o closure and the feeling of guilt that they could have said or did something to help. Being such a “man’s man” there’s nothing wrong w/ walking away from situations or seeking help.

I would like to say RIP but is there peace for an unrepented soul. (guess only God can determine that) Keeping his family in my prayers
Alana

We really have to take a closer look at depression in the black community. Don’t ignore the signs. It is terrible that whatever was going on with him he felt it was not worth staying around to be a father to his child. At least he didn’t kill the girlfriend and baby too.
shunda

This is very sad. I feel for the girlfriend and the son. In these pictures he looks very depressed. I won’t comment on my views of suicide.
ATL_HONEY

I don’t understand y its so taboo for our community to seek professional help. this saddens and angers me as I have been that family member left behind
http://myspace.com/iyonah iyonah

I will keep ym comments on suicide to myself, but I will say that the family will be in my prayers. And that the son and girlfriend get through … no one knows what she is feeling/thinking. Can you imagine finding your conterpart dead and from what looks like/looks to be suicide??
http://myspace.com/iyonah iyonah

my***
intensemocha

This is a very saddening situation and I agree with other posters who stated that in our community it’s taboo to seek professional help-even moreso for black men.

At a time like this, I wouldn’t want to be insensitive or tacky and discuss what the outcome will be for his girlfriend or child because no matter how true the comments may be-it’s in my opinion inappropriate and probably offensive to those who are involved.

For those who mean well, pass on your sentiments about being just a baby mama or girlfriend to one of your girlfriends whose baby daddy or boyfriend isn’t DEAD-that would be a bit more productive than pouncing on this chick at this time and at this moment-have some respect!

She just loss her boyfriend and child’s father and they were in the house when it occurred-this has to be very traumatic and at this point she can’t change the fact that they weren’t married-it’s a null point.
Lala11_7

This is an awful thing…

And personally, I don’t know how in the HOLY HELL that man could NOT have been under UNIMAGINABLE job related stress…with the music business evolving into…I don’t know WHAT due to downloads…lack of income, because…FOLKS AREN’T BUYING…b.s. acts., etc., etc….the pressure must have gotten to him…

Mental illness is ignored far too much in the Black community…and depression is not something that you can fix with a new par of Jimmy Choo’s and a Hershey Bar…you need PROFESSIONAL HELP!!!

My prayers go out to his family…his loved ones…and most of all…that poor baby…
KaraZ

Black men are really the forgotten ones when it comes to mental health issues. I hate that he reached that level of hopelessness to feel that taking his own life was his best options.
I hope the girlfriend has a great support system at this time, she will need it to make sense of it and move past this pain.
missmiami

Was he on the DL????
ReadTheBlog

Wow…

Hold on, I though Jay Z didn’t produce anything while running Def Jam, so what was the pressure? I wonder if it had anything to do with the failing market?

This is sad and very selfish of him.
http://myspace.com/iyonah iyonah

@ missmiami – I knew someone was going to pose taht ? sooner or later.
http://myspace.com/iyonah iyonah

that**
Dany28

I agree with intensemocha. It’s a sad situation overall, but jumping on the girlfriend about their status isn’t a solution. She could’ve been content with their arrangement..who knows?

My prayers go out to her and their child. As well as his family…friends and loved ones.

It wasn’t just himself he was harming. Suicide has a domino effect. His parents suffer…the girlfriend…the child…his friends…all he knew.

So sad.
SHANIASMOMMA

this is what was said on CNN: 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.”

THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM AND THEY TRIED TO HELP
KaraZ

@13. Even if he was, he had plenty of company here in ATL and in the entertainment industry, and the rest of them aren’t harming themselves.
Lemondrop

That’s so sad to be feeling that badly that you feel its the only way.

You never know what someone’s feeling or going through.

I still can’t help but to wonder why he did it?

Did he do it or will this turn out to be another episode of snapped.
browni007

I may be posting a lil late, but I dont think other posters were trying to jump on the gf – they were just merely thinking ahead – she lost the father of her child and her mate, due to the situation – she is suffering a huge loss and now has to think about raising a child financially and emotionally on her own. Even if he had a will and life insurance sometimes insurance doesnt pay when there is a sucide. I was thinking he may have had a double life as well.

The truth of the matter is – he is gone. I’m praying for the family.
Kymystry

Exactly @ browni ..

We women have children and live with men who aren’t married to us.. without being married she isn’t entitled to anything property or financially … she is hurting No doubt .. and insurance policies do NOT pay for suicides .. and if she isn’t in the will … OH WELL

I truly feel for her and the baby.. and can’t imagine finding the body of the man I loved in the bathroom after he shot himself.

Gettin counseling isn’t a sign that you are weak .. If you need it .. GET IT !
dcwife1622

RIP

This is a really sad situation and ultimately God is the Judge. It’s annoying and aggravating for dumb ass people to sit up and assume that anyone that commits suicide is going to hell!

Peace out SR!
Pingback: Sandra Rose Commentors Sound Off On The Sucide Of Shakir Stewart | Matthew Milam's Blog()
http://myspace.com/thegameoncw Bird

That wasn’t a very nice story on this young man Miss Sandra.

You said:

When Reid accepted the CEO position at Def Jam, he once again looked out for Stewart while his loyal LaFace employees were left to fend for themselves.

I say:

Everything you said up until that point stated that Shakir was a loyal Reid employee for years so it would seem that Reid looked out for at least one loyal employee. Furthermore, the person who said he had no job stress sounds like the knuckle heads Shakir said were trying to enter the business these days and thought it was about partying and didn’t want to put in the very hard work. What kind of “insider” really thinks senior executive positions are all play and no work? And who would think business travel three times a week is fun regardless of whether it is first class or not? Only a person who doesn’t have to do it. I know for a fact it is not fun and execs dread all that traveling.
Anna

and insurance policies do NOT pay for suicides ..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As long as the policy was past the probationary period(which is 36 months)the money will be paid to the beneficiary.
Kymystry

@ Anna .. thank u .. I learned something today
only1fe

I first want to send the family my prayers, and hopes of strength as they face this. To all of the negatively strewn about this post it is really a waste of breath. AGAIN a life has been lost, why take time to post some slick remarks? Its totally uncalled for. The dl speculations based on what?!Simply wanting to stir up some b.s. about a man that some of you know nothing about. The comments regarding his fiance’ etc. unnecessary. It agitates the mess out of me the way some people find the need to still bring forth the b.s & drama during a tragedy. Find another outlet for that. Shake wish there was something that this didnt happen. Blessings to all of the true friends & family.
browni007

Anna – thanks. I thought there are provisions that make it difficult to pay out during certain circumstances – such as suicide, health issues that werent reported, etc.
I have a case that is currently pending in my office fighting to receive the proceeds from the insurance policy b/c of medical issues unreported
Anna

29browni007 Says:

I have a case that is currently pending in my office fighting to receive the proceeds from the insurance policy b/c of medical issues unreported.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The most that could happen in a case of a unreported medical issue is to re rate the policy with the medical issues and collect the difference in premium back to the policy effective date. Insurace companies don’t need a reputation for not paying claims but if they find a loop in the system in their favor you best believe that are going to take advangage of it.
browni007

on another note – we dont mean to be mean (pun intended) – we are trying to make sense out of a situation that makes no sense. I can only imagine it takes a lot to take your own life. I’m a PUNK, PAIN is not an option.

I coudl only imagine the pain that young lady feels.
kwallace577

i have been avoiding this post all day. the light is absent from his eyes even in these pictures. may god bless his soul. i grieve for the girlfriend…she is obviously the one who found him.
intensemocha

It’s called Estate Planning, and all of us should prepare accordingly…

People make the assumption that just because one is married that they are automatically listed as the beneficiary-not necessarily so-I also work in the finance & insurance field and too many times spouses call after the death of their husband/wife to collect on a policy to only find out they were never listed as the beneficiary.

Some investments(in certain states) will not allow you to designate someone other than your spouse as a beneficiary without their written consent.

So again, this issue isn’t just a “girlfriend/baby mama” issue it truly applies to everyone-planning for your death and caring for your loved ones after your death is something everyone needs to do….

and of course, we are all making assumptions because we have no idea if he had designated his girlfriend as his beneficiary….he could have easily have done so. Typically, when you are employed and you sign up for retirement plans and various investment and insurance policies you have to do so in order to establish the policies and a man of his stature and the company he was employed by-I would assume this was most likely completed.
intensemocha

and obviously, you can designate anyone to be your beneficiary-you don’t have to be married to them

even if you are married, (depending on the state & with written consent) you can designate someone other than your spouse as a beneficiary as I stated above.
Anna

intensemocha Says:

and obviously, you can designate anyone to be your beneficiary-you don’t have to be married to them

even if you are married, (depending on the state & with written consent) you can designate someone other than your spouse as a beneficiary as I stated above.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can pick whomever you want as beneficiary. However if her name is not on that house she can be evicted/kicked out. There are divorced men who never remarry and when they die everything is still in the exwives name. Do you think she is going to give it to the current girlfriend. Nope the exwife greatly accepts and there is not a damn thing that can be done about it.
prynsexxx

Did he leave a note?
intensemocha

Exactly, hence the importance of estate planning

not sure if you think I am not aware that an x-wife listed can inherit or collect on a policy-

so that would also mean, that a current wife could in fact be dealt with in the same manner you suggested for the girlfriend-if she isn’t listed as a beneficiary or on a home

no argument, hon the point is estate planning is beneficial to all-ignorance is bliss a wife, girlfriend, etc. the point is if your name aint on the policy you don’t collect and don’t assume that because you are the spouse it’s automatic is some cases it’s not.
browni007

@ Intense
3 situations
I was separated for six years and never divorced. I my divorced was granted this year – just for estate planning purposes you aren’t coming to get my 401K or probating the will and/or estate that I left to my mom and “your children”!

My mom is married (25 yrs). He ran off to another country w/ the other woman. If he dies – whatever is left is hers (which is not much).

my bro 6 children and a Hebrew Israelite (sic) – finally decided to legally get married b/c the estate planner shook him up – if you did the state doesnt recognize these children, etc. or your girlfriend of 10-12 years.

More of african americans/latinos need to prepare – if you can afford it. If there is a change in your status make the necessary changes i.e. the beneficiary, etc.

My friend
kwallace577

There are divorced men who never remarry and when they die everything is still in the exwives name. Do you think she is going to give it to the current girlfriend. Nope the exwife greatly accepts and there is not a damn thing that can be done about it.
—————————–
so my mother is going to get all her ex husband $$ when he passes? that would be my daddy (her husband of 19 years and ex-husband of 23 years…) ??? my sister recently found a really old insurance policy with our mom as the beneficiary and she said she wasn’t going to say anything…

b/c his dumb behind didn’t change nathan when she packed us up and left. as a matter of fact the lights are STILL in her name. no kidding. and there has been another wife who has come and gone and the lights are STILL in my momma’s name. 23 years later. she never changed them her ownself b/c it never hindered her from doing anything and really not harming anyone in the grand scheme of things…

i never knew this. never thought about it really. wow. yall are right then about planning…
browni007

sorry for all the typos – trying to get the point across.
Anna

If a change of beneficiary is not made it stands as is. Most men unless they are an accountant on insurance agent don’t remember to update their policy. (It’s usually the new wife who reminds him to make the changes).
Liyah74

One thing for sure. He got a straight ticket to hell:(
ChokLitFactory

R.I.P Shakir.
And to Liyah74^^^ that comment is not necessary at all!!
http://myspace.com/sfh50millionpounds mj

Damn suicide is such a selfish move. And yet so many people are struggling with the thought of it… I had relative that tried this mess a couple weeks ago. Here’s the thing – now I’m about to be selfish. How could you want to not be alive to see Barack Obama win or lose? Even more important, how could you not want to be alive to see your kids grow up and to guide them as only a parent can do? How could you want to leave this earth while your mother or father is still here? There are so many things more important than killing one’s self. And I know one’s personal pain can only be understood by that person – but we live in a world where our lives are not our own. We can’t just walk away from our responsibility by choosing death. We must always chose life until God calls us home. That is just my opinion and something I have had to repeat to myself over and over again or else I may not be here either because I’m one of those that have fought off suicide. None-the-less, I pray for the family that has been left behind.
pointhimout

definitely a sad story. i remember watching this young dude move up that entertainment corporate ladder and envied him..not jealous, but envied him.

though i didn’t know him or never met him, i always thought there was a look of misery in his eyes. i notice that same look on a couple other “celebrities” or industry people. it’s been there for years..just my observation.

may his family somehow get the closure they deserve. i dont know what he was going through, but i want to believe there’s always someone i could talk to, no matter what i think is too much for me to handle alone.
http://myspace.com/dannyblaq dblaq

How many of you did know Shakir? How many ever had an executive position with a major record company especially such as Def Jam. And just for the record in the entertainment business is an element that preys on people like Shakir. You can say all these things about suicide and I agree but I don’t think anybody on this message board ever dealt with this type of element. There some people in this world that don’t ever care about a job because they will take what ever others work hard for and they think that it is their right to take and people like Shakir are just victims.

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