Earlier today, the music industry was saddened with the news that Def Jam's Executive Vice President Shakir Stewart committed suicide. Though the details of this story are sketchy, some sources are saying that Stewart was found in New York with a gunshot wound to the head. The news of his death was first reported over the airwaves in Atlanta by WVEE deejay Greg Street.

Shakir Stewart was appointed to his position at Def Jam by L.A. Reid back in June after the post was vacated by Jay-Z. Stewart was responsible for signing such acts as Rick Ross, Karina Parisian and Young Jeezy.

The Oakland, California-native graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta before going on to sign Ciara and Beyonce to Hitco Publishing, where he worked before leaving for Def Jam in 2004.