R.I.P Shakir Steward

New York City-based Def Jam Recordings says that Shakir Steward, the executive that succeeded Jay-Z as the head of the legendary hip hop music label, was found in his Atlanta home with one self inflicted gun shot wound to the head. Stewart signed such artists as Rick Ross and Young Jeezy to the label before being named in June to the post once filled by Jay-Z. In that role, Stewart oversaw the development of new talent, managed producers and guided the label’s vision. He traveled between Atlanta and New York for his job, and was a graduate of Morehouse College.