The head of Hip Hop mega-brand Def Jam has been found dead after committing suicide at his Atlanta home.

Shakir Stewar (34) took over from Jay-Z as the label's President in June this year, he also held the position as Senior A&R for the entire Island Def Jam Group.

In the late 90s Stewart took the first steps in propelling Beyonce to fame when he signed her when working as an executive for Hitco Music.

Def Jam paid tribute to him, saying: "Shakir was an amazing man in every sense of the word."