Impala Outstanding Contribution award goes to Horst Weidenmuller on the eve of !K7 Music's fortieth anniversary

06 December 2024 - Press release

IMPALA’s Outstanding Contribution award goes to Horst Weidenmüller, CEO and founder of !K7 Music and founder of IMPALA’s Sustainability task force, for his outstanding contribution to the European independent music sector.

IMPALA decided to recognise Horst Weidenmüller at their recent board meeting, acknowledging his crucial role in the European independent sector and a career spanning close to 40 years.

Horst founded !K7 Records in 1985, originally starting as a music video production company in Berlin, and later transforming it into a multifaceted music enterprise. !K7 is renowned for its pioneering DJ-Kicks series, which launched in 1993, featuring mixes by influential artists like Carl Craig, Kruder & Dorfmeister, and Peggy Gou. Over the years, !K7 has expanded to include several sub-labels, such as Strut Records (focusing on funk, soul, and world music), 7K! (for neoclassical releases), and Ever Records (jazz).

In addition to his label work, Horst has contributed significantly to the broader independent music sector, including as IMPALA board member since 2003 (vice-president until 2011) and board member of Merlin, advocating for the value of independent music rights, sustainability and inclusion. Horst works with drive and a business vision advocating for a broader change in the sector.
 
With Horst as founder and chair of IMPALA’s sustainability task force, IMPALA launched the industry’s first sector-wide programme with the first bespoke carbon calculator for labels, along with Julie’s Bicycle. The calculator was originally crowdfunded by a group of IMPALA members and is now supported by Merlin andMurmur. Horst was also instrumental in building IMPALA’s Business Case for Sustainability, putting the spotlight on the commercial benefits of taking sustainability action.

Under Horst’s leadership, !K7 Music has received significant recognition for its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. !K7 is certified as a B Corporation, a prestigious designation for businesses meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Achieving this status reflects !K7's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, and positively impacting the community.

Alongside its sustainability efforts, !K7 Music actively supports social inclusion through its community initiatives. One notable project is its partnership with Ernst-Reuter-Schule in Berlin. Through this collaboration, !K7 staff work with local students to teach music production, marketing, and distribution. This hands-on experience empowers students, particularly from underprivileged backgrounds, to create and release their own music. The initiative fosters creativity, promotes technical skills, and encourages youth engagement in the arts, strengthening ties between the company and its diverse local community in Wedding, a multicultural district of Berlin with high inequality rates.

Helen Smith, Executive Chair of IMPALA commented: "Horst is a force of nature, lifting all those that work with him and it’s an honour to be recognising all of his work with !K7 as a leading label. Their catalogue is eye watering, including for me personally. Horst’s work as vice-president of the IMPALA board already set down an early marker which was cemented when he founded our sustainability task force four years ago.”

Peter Quicke, Ninja Tune, Co-chair of IMPALA’s Sustainability Task Force added: “Horst doesn't just talk about sustainability; he takes action. His pragmatic approach has made !K7 a model for how independent labels can lead by example—swiftly turning values into impactful practices.”

Horst Weidenmüller, CEO and Founder of !K7 Music and Founder and chair of IMPALA’s Sustainability task force said: “I am touched to receive IMPALA’s award. !K7’s culture and values translates into all of my work, whether it is across music, sustainability, inclusion or digital and beyond. My mission with IMPALA is an extension of that, as is securing our status as a certified B-corps business. This is a shared journey we are on, where the independent sector underlines time and time again that we are leaders. That is something I am super proud of. Thanks to all the IMPALA board members!”  

Karla Rogožar, IMPALA’s sustainability lead continued: “Horst is key to advancing some of the most important challenges of our day. Being one step ahead as a responsible business, !K7 also helps IMPALA position itself as a leader and our members have the support they need to future-proof their businesses.”