Shakir Stewart is dead from a suicide. Shakir Stewart, Jay-Z’s Island Def Jam replacement, killed himself in a suicide. Funeral arrangements are not released.

Shakir Stewart’s suicide is leaving many guessing what went wrong. Stewart, 34, shot himself in bathroom of his home in Marietta, a suburb of Atlanta.

He told Billboard in June that he looked to have “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.”

Saturday night Island Def Jam issued this 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.”

Acts that Stewart signed to the label before taking on his position included Rick Ross and Young Jeezy.

He will be missed.

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