Post by Big Yogi

Many people in the music industry are devastated by the sudden death of Def Jam President Shakir Stewart. In this letter, Industry Mover and Shaker Kenny Burns talks about Shakir and their friendship.

Re: I Lost A Friend

From Kenny Burns
I remember getting a call from my cousin who was attending Morehouse College telling me about this yearly event called “Freaknic” and that I needed to come down to experience it.

Since I had gotten in some trouble and lost my basketball scholarship earlier that year, I thought this was the perfect chance for me to get out of DC and see another way of life.

I mean I had heard about the Black College Experience and saw the Spike Lee movies, but I wanted to see it for myself…

Upon my arrival I was greated by my two cousins (Leo & Damon) and this guy from Oakland Ca, Shakir Stewart.

From that moment our journey and friendship began…

I moved back down that fall and the rest is history!

Being young, you think that you want the money and the fame. You work hard, so you think the reward will be fullfilling. You put the time and energy into your work and these UN-LOYAL, FAKE ASS ARTIST/EXECUTIVES that could give a f*ck about YOU! To have what in the end?? MONEY?? You think that sh*t makes you happy!?

WELL AFTER SEEING WHAT HAPPENED TO MY MAN (A Man’s Man) CONFIRMS, WHAT A SOUL-LESS BUSINESS/WORLD THIS IS!

People would ALWAYS ask me, KB, why would you leave Mariah Carey when you traveled the world in private planes and recorded in Capri Italy? You where VP of Roc-a-fella Records, mentored Kanye West and had a clothing line with Roc-a-wear, what are you thinking?

My answer was ALWAYS, when I felt like I could become something I wasn’t, I had to bust a move!

When you comprise who you are, that is selling your Soul! You have at that moment, given up ALL control.
The Man I knew was a Man’s Man and wouldn’t have taken his own life!

LiVe LiFe and LoVe Hard!

Shake, You will be missed.
2620-4-LiFE