Shakir Stewart
April 12, 1974 – November 1, 2008
Shakir Stewart was a successful record company executive who was, most recently, Sr. VP of Island Def Jam Music Group as well as Executive VP of Def Jam. In Stewart’s first job out of college, he signed Beyonce to a publishing deal as a staffer at Hitco Music Publishing. From there he became an A&R consultant for LaFace Records, a label owned by Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Antonio “L.A.” Reid. He brought Ciara to the label. He later moved to the Def Jam family where he signed or oversaw such acts as Young Jeezy, Nas, LL Cool J and Rick Ross. He quickly moved up the ranks within the company. Shakir Stewart took his own life with a gun on November 1, 2008. He was 34 years old.
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Shakir Stewart grew up conscious of GOD, and grew into manhood; and matriculated to Morehouse College,graduating in 1996. It is not easy being an African American male in America where the collective circumstances of life discourage the development of identities of conscience and integries of conscience filled with great purpose and promise. GOD calls us to reach for the fulfillment of our ideals, dreams, stars, galaxies, and constellations. Then GOD ALMIGHTY gives us universes to govern. GOD gave much to Shakir Stewart; so many gifts, so many universes. We thank GOD for his life and contributions, and may those who pursue their dreams remember him as a distinguished African American male who grew in stature far beyond the psycho-social frameworks of the mindsets that limited him in the varying stages of his development. GOD BLESS US ALL!