Def Jam officially announced Jay-Z's successor at the label, naming Shakir Stewart as the new executive vice president of the label.

Stewart, a 1996 Morehouse graduate, got on with Def Jam in 2004. Since then he's worked his way up the company ladder, holding positions of vice president and then senior vice president of A&R.

He is credited with signing Young Jeezy and Rick Ross, among others to Def Jam, and before then, he inked Beyonce during his stint at Hitco Publishing where he was senior vice president and general manager since 1999. He also is responsible for signing Ciara while serving as an A&R consultant for LaFace Records.

His new senior postion, which had been open since Jigga stepped down late last year, will have Shakir taking on overall responsibility for the day to day activities of the Def Jam label, including pulling in and guiding new talent, overseeing producers and directing the label's brand recognition.

"The bold young management style that Shakir has established at Def Jam is one of the major reasons behind the label's success today," Antonio "L.A." Reid said in a statement. The Chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group added, "from his solid roots in music publishing, he has grown to master the world of hip-hop and urban music."

"The past four years have been an unforgettable experience for me," Stewart said. "Having the opportunity to work with a brilliant music man such as L.A. Reid, along with the most amazing team in the music business, has afforded me the knowledge and inspiration to take the next step in my career and continue to amplify and expand Def Jam's stellar reputation in the industry."