Lord have mercy.

So sad!! May he finally be at peace!!

Black males need to start having each others backs and shedding light on depression and the various things that go on with our men that don’t get the attention they should!!

Rest in Peace to the homie Shake. We love you.

I wish he would’ve opened up to his family and friends because those are the people that have to live with his decision.

Lol @ SMDH, every issue is a great chance to criticize black males isn’t it?

I just do not understand suicide, especially when you have a family to live for. He must have been going thru some hard stuff we can’t imagine.

Sad story… but who is this guy?

“Lol @ SMDH, every issue is a great chance to criticize black males isn’t it? ”

No – but its damn sure a chance to point out the lack of unity and support among the black race!! He clearly didn’t have a support network of strong black men showing him what he had to live for…

No more details are needed and this news came out yesterday. We didn’t need a statement from the family to tell us this young man was depressed. I hope he is at peace now and I pray that God gives his family the strength to deal with this difficult situation and to forgive him for what his mental illness led him to do.

For everyone that thinks his family could do anything to stop this, nothing could be further from the truth. Many suicides have sought the help of professionals and it still didn’t prevent their deaths. Coddling from family members is not a cure for depression. It is truly a tragedy when a mind snaps and we have no control over it, but obviously that is what has happened to this young man and not even his apparent fabulous lifestyle could prevent his mental decline. I don’t fault him one bit and am truly sorry for the unimaginable pain he must have experienced before his death.

So sad..RIP brutha

Just like Kanye say “you can ask big homey, that the top so lonely”….SMH

@treese…

I’m so sorry to hear about your loss.

I agree with Bird, suicide is a serious situation that millions of americans struggle with. I personally know someone who recently committed suicide while on medication and seeking counseling. All you can do for them is let them know you are there no matter what. Ultimately it was his choice to take his life, and no questions that we have all asked will ever truly be answered, we just take it to the Lord in Prayer.

Best to all

If this is the decision he thought was best for him, then I guess he got his wish. I dont have much sympathy for suicide victims. No doubt, he must have been troubled, but sometimes you must seek help, it doesnt always come running. Suicide to me, is a kind of cowardly way of going out. Death is never the answer. Whatever was bothering him, he let win.

He was a father too, seems like his child would have been enough alone to live for.

May his troubled mind be at some kind of rest.

GO HEAD SMDH!!! SHUT YO ASS UP P!

My condolences to the family and his loved ones..

Who is this cat?

hmmm, looked at his pic on several sites; observed city and state, I bet he was undercover, and ended up with the package..fianace better get checked..he had money, a good name, good position and a child..why would he want to leave this world?

I knew this man personally. He lived right across the street from me when I was a kid. We were really good friends. I’m so hurt over this. My family truely loved him and we are going to miss the hell out him. He went to St Marys high scholl with my cousins in the Bay Area. I’m still really having a hard time accepting this.

Damn, I used to work with his father Ken. I never met him but he was the apple of his fathers eye, who was a helluva good man. This is a truly sad story. My deepest sympathies to the family.

sad he died, but he’s weak, cowardly, and selfish……suicide should never be an option…especially as a father…

For everyone who feels he’s a coward or doesn’t deserve sympathy you have no idea the pain suffered by someone with mental illness and depression. Again we are in no position to judge he has already met his maker.

DAMN what the hell was he dealing with!?? MAn oh man..

I agree num1dominicano!

Especially since he was a father?! WTF?!

Again condolences to his family…and to you too M-Daddy {{{{sending a big ole cyber hug}}}}. I’m sorry for your loss as well.

@Just Sit and Be Pretty

Again condolences to his family…and to you too M-Daddy {{{{sending a big ole cyber hug}}}}. I’m sorry for your loss as well.

___________________________________________________

Thank you ma

@blaq

For everyone who feels he’s a coward or doesn’t deserve sympathy you have no idea the pain suffered by someone with mental illness and depression. Again we are in no position to judge he has already met his maker.

___________________________________________________

You noticed I didnt respond to that statement

There is nothing “wrong” with committing suicide. I believe that it is your life and it’s yours to do exactly as you see fit. It is your body and your decision.

For many people, who feel as if they will never get better, suicide might be a viable option.

I know if I had to choose between dying of a horrible cancer, I would choose suicide. Likewise, if I had to do 10 or 20 years in prison, I would committ suicide too.

@Treese

I’m also sorry to hear about your loss.

num1, you are entitled to your opinion, but where is the compassion?!?! Until you have walked in someone’s shoes, who are you to judge this man?!?!? Suicide is selfish in that the person is consumed by “their” pain, “their” anguish, “their” sorrow, and that’s the only connotation that I associate w/suicide. I don’t view them as selfish from a mean, negative perspective at all. Obviously, this brother was hurting and the real sadness is that he thought he had no other option and that death was his only escape.

You never know what will drive some over the edge, so to simply judge by tossing negative adjectives around is stupid!!

@ Just Sit and Be Pretty

I guess he didn’t think about his son, his parents, his fiance….the pain was that great huh…no excuse for suicide….it doesn’t matter what you are going through…

The fact that he let something get to him, shows a pure sign of weakness. We all go through things in life. I guess when some look for God, he chose to look for a gun.. I know that’s harsh, but it is reality.

I’m sorry but suicide is a cop-out.

my condolences to the family.

My prayers go out to Shakir’s family and friends. I pray that they find the closure they need to find peace and move on with their lives.

Shakir was my cousin and a very good person. This is a horrible loss for our family. I will miss him terribly and remember or life growing up together. But what I fell is nothing like what his kids or fiancé are feeling and defiantly not like my aunt, uncle and his sister. For everyone who offered their support and condolences thank you. Other comments… I have none for.

@Alexandria

Shakir was my cousin and a very good person. This is a horrible loss for our family. I will miss him terribly and remember or life growing up together. But what I fell is nothing like what his kids or fiancé are feeling and defiantly not like my aunt, uncle and his sister. For everyone who offered their support and condolences thank you. Other comments… I have none for.

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CO-SIGN 200% He was a very good person. I remember the day he moved on the hill in Oakland. Circle Hill to be exact DAMN!!!!

I had no idea who he was either, so I looked him up..

Def Jam Executive Vice President Shakir Stewart, who replaced Jay-Z at the helm of the label and signed such artists as Rick Ross and Young Jeezy, died Saturday (November 1). According to reports, he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Further details were not available at press time.

A native of Oakland, California, Stewart was appointed executive vice president in June, which he called his dream job. A graduate of Atlanta’s Morehouse College, he previously worked at Hitco Music Publishing, to which he signed Beyoncé, according to Billboard.com. He was an A&R consultant at LaFace Records from 2000 to 2004 and signed Ciara to the label. He recently signed up-and-coming artists Rocko and Karina Pasian to Def Jam.

Stewart succeeded Jay-Z, who resigned his post at Def Jam in December of last year, in June. He told Billboard at the time that his goal was to help develop “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.”

On a personal note, Shakir, or “Shake,” as his friends call him, was one of the coolest. Saturday night on Atlanta radio, legendary DJ and longtime friend Greg Street saluted him.

Authorities investigating the matter could not be reached for comment at press time.

Late Saturday night, Island Def Jam issued the following 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.”

[This story was originally published at 10:28 p.m. ET on 11.01.2008]

I love how people are attributing this man’s mental illness to weakness. Am I the only person who has known people who suddenly and inexplicably lost their minds? In my hood people tend to ignorantly attribute it to them having been slipped something. The fact is many mental illnesses don’t rear their ugly heads until we are older. YOU HAVE NO CONTROL WHEN YOUR MIND SNAPS. And poor people are not the only ones effected by mental illness. No amount of success can stop it from happening. This man was not selfish. He was ill. His cause of death is mental illness.

I understand where folks are coming from, but try to keep an open mind. If you have not seen it already, I have no doubt that at some point someone you know will fall victim to mental illness, rather it be schizophrenia or depression. It happens people.

I feel very sorry for him because suicide is no joke, (imagine the horror of putting a gun to your own head and saying “no more” not only to the bad but also to everything good you’ve ever known) but given all the advantages in his life, it sounds to me that this wasn’t depression. It feels far more like the walls were closing in, he feared a huge reversal of fortune, and couldn’t bear to see something horrible of his own making come to light. Of course, I know absolutely nothing for sure, but that’s the type of story I expect to come out in coming days.

damn, why couldnt he do that BEFORE he signed jeezy and rick ross, instead of putting those wack asses on….

Suicide isn’t cool at all.

I believe depression is real….however something tells me there is more to this story. I can’t help but think that Money was involved or another man….time will tell for sure.

May the spirit forever live on yhr hearts and minds of the people who truly loved him

COWARDS kill other people. People that are hurting and depressed kill themselves. It takes guts to blow your whole damm dead off. Shooting yourself is very violent towards yourself but maybe he felt a gun shot was less pain than his inner turmoil.

How the hell is he a coward? If you knew him and you are saying that you are a hater. If you did not kno him then yoo have to know your day is coming. We will see how you handle your darkest day.

I never seem so many people that condone suicide and see it is a viable and acceptable option to solve life problems….what is wrong with you people…

Sad. And unbelievable that he had so many people who loved him,but none of them could get through to him. Something made him snap…Something happened. If those who take their own lives could be reminded before they do that the moment they are feeling pain — is just that: a MOMENT — just a moment in time that will pass. Really sad.

Chanel Shades…

….right on…if you say so…I bet his kids and mother feel the same as you too right…

num1dominicano,

I bet she is glad he did not snap and kill everybody Columbine style. STFU!

@num1dominicano,

You look DL with them girlie ass braids. STFU

i don’t know this man, but it is wrong to judge. regardless of how you feel, it is harsh and unkind to express your sentiments about his final decision.

I just want to wish the family well in their time of sorrow.

I hear he was a very good man, he went to school with my friend Chris @ M~House and was close to others I know! I wish he didnt do this, because it leaves his family to believe why & what could I have done to stop him! I heard he didnt have a will so I hope it doesnt get messy!!

RIP RIP

Can anyone actually confirm it WAS depression???; which is horrible in itself and absolutely can manipulate a person to take their own life-god rest his soul. Perhaps there was something else troubling him, that could have also manipulated his mind…you can never judge until you walk a long hot mile in those shoes!

Obviously, there are a large population of uninformed people that do not know the truth and depth about the mental illness: Depression. Just like Schizophrenia and Bipolar is mental illness, so is depression. There is a difference between being depressed, occassionally, and feel down or blue and battling the chemical imbalance in the brain of an illness known as depression. It is known to suck the life and energy out of people, affect memory, sex-drive, people become withdrawn, have a sense or feeling of deep loss and despair. The issue is deeper than most of the people on this sight realize. It is also heritary. Get the facts before you make these idiotic assumptions that are ridiculous to those of us who are more informed.

This is very sad. A man lost his life but, certain people want to focus on the negative side, now that’s even more sad. May he rest in peace and may God bless his family and friends! I never knew this man, but I can tell he will be truly missed by many.

**R.I.P.**

Obviously, there is a large population of uninformed people that do not know the truth or depth about the mental illness known as Depression. Just like Schizophrenia and Bipolar are mental illnesses, so is Depression. Keep in mind that there is a difference between being depressed(occassionally, and feeling down/blue), and battling the chemical imbalance in the brain of an illness known as Depression. It is known to suck the life and energy out of people, affect their memory and thought process, sex-drive, people become withdrawn, have a sense or feeling of deep loss and despair and have a hard time functioning on a normal day-to-day basis. It is my understanding that these people have to be medicated. Apparently, this issue is deeper than most of the people on this sight realizes. It is also hereditary. Get the facts before you make these idiotic assumptions that are so ridiculous to those of us who are more informed.

Not that there is anything wrong with anyones life choices but my cousin was not on the DL. He did not steal money either. To judge a person you do not know and call them week is a ignorant statement. Just because someone has alot of money does not mean they are happy and don not have any problems. God knows I wish he did not do this. We are the same age and I have many fond memories of him but to call him the horrible names and make assumptions that you know nothing about is IGNORANT! To his friend that knows him from Oakland thanks for the kindness. I graduated from Skyline and lived down the way from him. We were close so this is hard.

**scratching my head trying to remember when I first heard of him being depressed**

I think the “depressed” thing is speculation because I can’t remember if there were confirmed reports of him being depressed. I think a poster might’ve initiated that and everyone else just assumed.

Depression/mental illness is no joke!!! It’s only here lately that African Americans are seeking the necessary help to identify and treat these illnesses.

@Alexandria

Not that there is anything wrong with anyones life choices but my cousin was not on the DL. He did not steal money either. To judge a person you do not know and call them week is a ignorant statement. Just because someone has alot of money does not mean they are happy and don not have any problems. God knows I wish he did not do this. We are the same age and I have many fond memories of him but to call him the horrible names and make assumptions that you know nothing about is IGNORANT! To his friend that knows him from Oakland thanks for the kindness. I graduated from Skyline and lived down the way from him. We were close so this is hard.

___________________________________________________

I went to Skyline too

Back in the day, we’d lock up the “Uncle Cleotuses” and “Aunt Ida’s” of the world in a back bedroom. The only person who could conrol them was the “Big Mamas” of the world.

Hey Daddy!!!

If you knew Shakir, you would know he would never take his own life. There are other details, including the fact that he had two undetected strokes recently. This gives me solace in knowing, that the man I knew and loved, is gone, but not by his own sane wishes.

it’s sad no matter how you slice it. Don’t want to be mean, however at 34 and making over a million a year, a beautiful relationshop and children. There is no way in the world that I would even consider that. In the words of “Bernie Mac..I’m gonna kill them, they aint gonna Kill me”. If there was something that really needed personal attention, Take time off. In his case, He could afford it. This is why some of the negativity is coming out! Not to rule out depression, but damnit! Just how depressed was he? There are alarming numbers of suicide amongst Young African American Men. But come on now.. Let’s treat each case differently! He started out slow and ended up a Major Player in this world! There was no reason for him to dismiss his life unless there was something so hard to even he couldn’t bring himself to explain!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s what bring me to truly believe there is something richer to this story! This Guy had the Brass Ring! He was no Dummy either! Why would he just do that? I’m quite sure he was aware that the insurance that was carried on him. (every record company insures) or any other side insurance that he had wouldn’t pay for Suicide! I don’t think he would leave his Child/Children unprotected? There is something not right with this story.

I DONT CONDONE IT AT ALL..I JUST FEEL FOR HIS KIDS AND FAMILY. THIS IS A VERY SELFISH ACT TO SAY THE LEAST

I know this sounds crazy , but a very close friend of mine knew Shakir and it seems like he was a really good guy> I say this because im hoping that because he didn’t die instantly (from what i here ) maybe he had time to ask the Lord to forgive him and made peace with GOD!!! I can only pray for the family.

I pray his family gets counseling as to stave off any depression or possible feelings of guilt! Believe it or not, the more money you have the harder sometimes it is to cope as more and more people become dependent upon you for their survival. Life can sometimes cease being real, as you are unable to discern whose in and for what reason. It’s like those people that win the lottery – and every relative from 10 generations back start calling. There is no peace. Not to mention the weigh of the responsibilities placed upon him. As such, Black men carry a lot of on their broad shoulders.

The strength of a man isn’t seen in the width of his shoulders. It’s seen in the width of his arms that circle you. The strength of a man isn’t in the deep tone of his voice. It’s in the gentle words he whispers. The strength of a man isn’t in how respected he is at work. It’s in how respected he is at home. The strength of a man isn’t in how hard he hits. It’s in how tender he touches. The strength of a man isn’t in the hair on his chest. It’s in his Heart … that lies within his chest. The strength of a man isn’t how many women he’s loved. It’s in how he can be true to one woman. The strength of a man isn’t in the weight he can lift. It’s in the burdens he can carry.

May his family be blessed in their loss!

It is good reading here that many in our community are informed about depression. Now, that the family has made a statement, unfortunately, it was suicide. We really can’t judge because he very well might have been trying to take care of himself. DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE COMMIT SUICIDE DUE TO THE MEDICATION THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HELP THEM??? I am dealing with two chronic physical ailments, and just this year, after at least 6, I have met the right doctors. They do not take insurance, but at least they have pinpointed the problem correctly and I am being treated. This guy could have been seeing a doctor or doctors and been misdiagnosed, on the wrong medication, on the wrong dosage of medication, and unlike a physical ailment that can drive you to depression, the mental ailment, wrongly treated can cause you to take your life. Luckily, he died alone, therefore an autopsy must be performed and the family will get an answer. Research ALL MEDICATIONS prescribed by doctors on the internet for drug interactions, etc. and don’t leave it all up to these “doctors”.

To the friends and family of Shakir Stewart — God’s grace mercy and peace be upon you.

Blessings go to him and his family- I hope his family gets closure on this and know the exact reason he decided to do this.

it sounds like there is alot more to this than that is being et out at the moment- hopefully the truth can be let out to help other indivuduals who may be going through the same thing.

Yeah I’m sure with blood and brains splattered everywhere he asked the Lord for forgiveness Deja…geez…people we don’t know. Maybe it was orchestrated to appear as a suicide. Maybe he was depressed or maybe he wasn’t. Either way it is a sign of desperation…the real victims are his child(ren) who will be stigmatized because daddy went kookoo–not a great legacy to leave behind. Also his parents and fiance must be burdeoned with guilt on top of the chronically painful tragedy and the dozens of questions they must ask themselves day-to-day as a result. I certainly wish his family peace and that he also may RIP.

@vipinnyc:

I thought there was more to it, but when the family released the statement, they must have known. Again, he was an intelligent, educated professional. I don’t think he would have intentionally caused his children to be fatherless, stigmatized and penniless (insurance cos. don’t pay out on suicides). Perhaps it was the medication or interactions with medication.

I don’t condone suicide, but it must be real rough hearing voices in your head. I have a cousin who went crazy (we all do)and it just happened one day, we don’t know what caused it. I remember him being what we call normal one day , and boom, crazy as the day is long the very next day. He never recovered, and to this day we try to help him as much as possible. The funny thing about it is, most of the time dosn’t want us to help him. He is in his own little world and GOD bless him.

Is there any evidence of this mentall illness people are speaking of?

You know what they say about everyone having an opinion! For those of you who didnt know Shake personally and have negative things to say, you all sound extremely ignorant to those of us who were blessed to have a special friend like Shakir. He was truly one of a kind and such an incredible person! I loved and will always love him dearly!!! I never usually post on these things, but it is so ridiculous to see people making negative comments about things they know nothing about. SO sad that you never got the chance to know him….those of us that did, will never forget just how incredible he was and will always be..I love you Shake and will miss you so much.my heart is broken…R.I.P. babyboy..

For those of you that do not know Shakir, he was an exceptionally amazing person. In my person life he is by far, one of the most inspiration ones I’ve met. No one but God knows what was going on with Shake. Who’s to say he even knew. Never judge someone’s situation until you have been in those exact shoes and in this life, that will never happen. Shakir, THANK YOU for making me a better person. I WILL FOREVER Keep your dream and spirit alive.

probly over some HOE” you know it didnt matter what COLOR she was neither

all of you need to shut up, shake wouldnt have done that and watch and see when the real news hits how stupid all of ya ignorant azzez will feel,

I’ll bet that he found out that he had “the package” and couldn’t live with himself.