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ATLANTA
— A public memorial service was held for Def Jam executive vice
president, Shakir “Shake” Stewart, today at Morehouse
College’s King Chapel. Stewart was found dead on Nov. 1 of a
self-inflicted gunshot wound in his Marietta home. He was discovered by
his friend, Herb Smith.
Rapper Fat
Joe spoke about the fun, memorable times he shared with Stewart. He
said that on the plane ride to Atlanta, he was searching for a Bible
passage that would fit his longtime friend. That passage was Matthew
6:1-4, which speaks in part about giving to the needy, without
expecting anything in return.
“[I thought] this is it,” Fat Joe said, explaining his
immediate thoughts upon finding the scripture. “That was Shakir.
I’m gonna hold on to this [scripture] and I’m gonna hold on
to my man ‘Shake and Bake’ forever. I’m gonna follow
him and do the same thing.”
The memorial service was attended by several of Stewart’s
longtime industry friends and peers including DJ Don Cannon and Island
Def Jam executives Stever Bartels, Karen Kwak and Shawn
“Pecas” Costner. Both Chrisette-Michele and Ne-Yo sang
musical selections.
“God bless you,” Ne-Yo said to attendees, who donned maroon
ribbons in honor of Shakir, after singing his acapella version of
“Its So Hard to Say Good-Bye.”
Ted Lucas, CEO of Slip N Slide Records, also gave a moving speech and
prayer for Stewart, calling himself Stewart’s spiritual brother.
“He had a God-fearing brother in his life,” he said,
passionately speaking directly to Stewart’s family.
Mayor Shirley Franklin also issued a statement, commending Stewart for
his impact on the Atlanta music scene. Stewart is credited with
jump-starting the careers of Young Jeezy and Rick Ross. He also signed
Beyoncé to a publishing deal while he was working with L.A.
Reid’s Hitco.
“As the executive vice president of Def Jam Recordings, Shakir
has certainly demonstrated a commendable effort to encourage emerging
artists to pursue their careers with integrity and vivacity,” the
statement said. “Please accept my prayers and love as you
celebrate Shakir’s incredible life.”
Leading up to his suicide, friends and family said that Stewart was
acting strangely. Stewart’s fiancée Michelle Rivers called
Smith to their home on Nov. 1 to talk to Stewart after he began acting
strangely. Smith, who tried to calm Stewart moments before his death
said that the executive was “wigging out”—prompting
him to go outside and call 911. That’s when Smith heard the
gunshot inside of the house.
“Over the past several weeks, Shakir’s behavior was
inconsistent with the man we all know and love,” Rivers said in a
statement released last week. “As much as we all tried to help
him, Shakir was in deep pain and largely suffering in
silence.”
Stewart is survived by two children, Micaela Marie, age 6, and Sebastian Shakir, age 18 months. –jacinta howard
To
celebrate the life of Shakir Stewart, visit any Suntrust Bank and ask
for the Shakir Stewart Memorial Fund. For more information, visit https://shakirsstewart.com
