Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Def Jam Exec Dead in Apparent Suicide

Shakir Stewart took the helm of Def Jam Records in June

Share

(Newser) – Shakir Stewart, who took over at Def Jam Records when Jay-Z stepped down in June, was found dead yesterday, Billboard reports. The rap executive apparently committed suicide, though few details are available. Stewart had signed artists such as Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, and Karina Pasian to his label, and in a previous stint at Hitco snagged Beyoncé.

In this image released by Def Jam Records, the latest CD for Karina,
In this image released by Def Jam Records, the latest CD for Karina, "First Love," is shown. Karina Pasian is one of the new artists recently signed by Shakir Stewart.   (AP Photo/Def Jam Records)
Jay-Z passed on his post as president and CEO of Def Jam Records to Shakir Stewart in June. Stewart was found dead yesterday of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Jay-Z passed on his post as president and CEO of Def Jam Records to Shakir Stewart in June. Stewart was found dead yesterday of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams, file)
Shakir Stewart was promoted to Executive Vice President of Def Jam Recordings in June.
Shakir Stewart was promoted to Executive Vice President of Def Jam Recordings in June.   (PRNewsFoto/Island Def Jam Music Group)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

15 Stories

ANALYSIS

 Recession Finds 
 Place in Rap's 
 Latest Hits 

Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne among those referencing sour economy

Oct 7, 09 9:38 PM CDT
(Newser) - The ugly economy is making more than a cameo in today’s hottest rap music, with Young Jeezy taking the cake by naming his latest album The Recession. Rap’s often been a barometer of such huge swings, Sara Libby writes, noting the impact last year of Barack Obama’s... More »

MORE ABOUT:
entertainment • music industry • recession • rap music • Lil Wayne • Jay-Z • financial crisis • Jay-ZTV • Jay Sean • Young Jeezy • Lil Wayne jail • Lil Wayne pleads guilty • Lil Wayne going to jail

OPINION

Lily Allen Rode Piracy to Fame, But Now It's Not OK?

Singer ripped others' music for own mixes before she was a star

Sep 23, 09 10:13 PM CDT
(Newser) - Singer Lily Allen has caused a stir with recent rants against music piracy (and a blog where she posts opinions from like-minded creative pals), but when she was trying to make it, she was guilty of just that offense. Allen included tracks from Jay-Z, Jefferson Airplane and others on mixtapes... More »

MORE ABOUT:
entertainment • music industry • piracy • digital music • hypocrisy • Jay-Z • Lily Allen • Jay-ZTV

opinion

 How to Save 
 the Music Biz 


Sep 12, 09 7:55 PM CDT
(Newser) - The album is dead. Touring is on the fade. File-sharing is killing download profits. Adieu, music biz? Not so fast, reports The Wrap, which offers five fixes:
  • Drop the price. Ninety-nine cents for a song? Try 10. "Lower the price point, and you undercut the very foundation of
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
music industry • iTunes • file sharing • Guitar Hero • Rock Band • record label • Jack White

15 Stories


Stewart was 'the coolest'
MTV

Def Jam part of world's largest music company
Reuters


Arts & Living 
TwitterFollow @NewserArts on Twitter

 
suicide • music industry • Atlanta • Def Jam • Jay-Z • record label • Shakir Stewart

from our news partners