THIS THAT AND A THIRD

As reported in November, executive vice president at Def Jam, Shakir Stewart, was found dead in his home which police reported was a successful suicide attempt. After the heat of his tragic death settled, DefJam promoted Jeff Straughn to senior VP of strategic marketing which handled most of Stewart's jobs but the official position that Stewart held was still vacant.

On January 22nd, Def Jam released news that they had in fact found a replacement for the Executive Vice President spot and it would be going to Chris Hicks. Hicks co-managed acts like Mary. J Blige and Usher and was senior vice president of A&R at Warner Music Group and Warner Chappell Music.