(enews) Shakir Stewart, the executive vice president of Def Jam Records died on Saturday. Stewart was the one who helped Jay-Z to be the head of the famous hip hop music label and who signed artists like Rick Ross and Young Jeezy to the label before being named in June to the post once filled by Jay-Z. He used to discover new talents and develop them. He managed producers and was taking care of the label’s vision. Def Jam Records is owned by Universal Music Group in the United States and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Music Group. It was founded by Russel Simmons and Rick Rubin in their room at New York University. Hose was the first rock band which recorded with the label. The first single released with a Def Jam Records logo was T La Rock & Jazzy Jay “It’s Yours.” In 1984 LL Cool J with “I Need a Beat” and the Beastie Boys with “Rock Hard” were the first one to record with Def Jam Records catalogue number. This was the label’s chance to collaborate with CBS Records, which later became Sony Music Entertainment. In 1985, LL Cool J released the first album for the label, “Radio.” Lyor Cohen became the president of the label in 1988 after he had fought with Rubin for the job. After Rubin lost it, he decided to leave Def Jam Records and fund Def American Records. From the moment when Jay-Z became the boss at Def Jam Records, many successful names began to pass through the studio. Rihanna and Ne-Yo became famous through their contracts with this label. Still, Jay-Z needed to leave the leadership position in 2007, because his contract wasn’t renewed. He left with Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam as a recording artist only. L.A. Reid took his position as a president.

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