Def Jam Recordings on Tuesday announced a successor for Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter as the record label’s chief executive.

Mr. Carter made headlines in April when he signed a $150-million deal to produce music and tours for concert giant Live Nation. The hip hop star had announced plans to leave Def Jam in December. At the time speculation on a successor quickly focused on music mogul Jermaine Dupri, currently president of sister label Island Urban. Instead, later that month, Mr. Dupri was named head of a totally new label, Tag Records, a joint venture between Procter & Gamble and Island Def Jam.

UMG doesn’t disclose revenue figures, but Def Jam has been responsible for a string of platinum-selling hits for the privately-held music giant. In September Kanye West sold 957,000 units of his album during its first six days of release, making it the largest selling album on the Billboard charts in two years. Rihanna’s album sold more than 5 million copies after it was released last June, making it one of the most successful albums of 2007.

Mr. Shakir will be reporting directly to Mr. Reid and Island Def Jam COO Steve Bartels.