Horst Weidenmüller, CEO and founding father of !K7 Music, has been named because the recipient of IMPALA’s Excellent Contribution award.
IMPALA says that it determined to recognise Horst Weidenmüller at its latest board assembly, acknowledging his “essential position” within the European impartial sector and a profession spanning near 40 years.
Weidenmüller based Germany-headquartered !K7 Data in 1985. It began as a music video manufacturing firm in Berlin and later turned what IMPALA calls “a multifaceted music enterprise.”
!K7 is well-known for its DJ-Kicks sequence, which launched in 1993, that includes mixes by artists like Carl Craig, Kruder & Dorfmeister, and Peggy Gou.
Over time, !K7 has expanded to incorporate a number of sub-labels, corresponding to Strut Data (specializing in funk, soul, and world music), 7K! (for neoclassical releases), and Ever Data (jazz).
IMPALA notes that below Weidenmüller’s management, !K7 Music has obtained “important recognition for its dedication to sustainability and moral practices”.
!K7 is licensed as a B Company, a designation for companies assembly excessive requirements of social and environmental efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
In response to IMPALA, alongside its sustainability efforts, !K7 Music “actively helps social inclusion” by means of its neighborhood initiatives. One notable undertaking is its partnership with Ernst-Reuter-Schule in Berlin.
By means of this collaboration, !K7 employees work with native college students to show music manufacturing, advertising, and distribution, which, in accordance with IMPALA, “empowers college students, notably from underprivileged backgrounds, to create and launch their very own music”.
Along with his label work, Weidenmüller has contributed considerably to the broader impartial music sector, together with as an IMPALA board member since 2003 (vice-president till 2011) and Merlin board member, advocating for the worth of impartial music rights, sustainability, and inclusion.
With Weidenmüller as founder and chair of IMPALA’s sustainability activity power, IMPALA launched what it claims to be the trade’s first sector-wide program with the primary bespoke carbon calculator for labels, together with Julie’s Bicycle.
The calculator was initially crowdfunded by a gaggle of IMPALA members and is now supported by Merlin and Murmur.
Weidenmüller was additionally instrumental in constructing IMPALA’s Enterprise Case for Sustainability, which the org says places “the highlight on the industrial advantages of taking sustainability motion”.
“Horst is a power of nature, lifting all those who work with him and it’s an honour to be recognising all of his work with !K7 as a number one label.”
Helen Smith, IMPALA
Helen Smith, Government Chair of IMPALA, commented: “Horst is a power of nature, lifting all those who work with him, and it’s an honor to be recognizing all of his work with !K7 as a number one label.
“Their catalog is eye-watering, together with for me personally. Horst’s work as vice-president of the IMPALA board already set down an early marker which was cemented when he based our sustainability activity power 4 years in the past.”
“Horst doesn’t simply speak about sustainability; he takes motion.”
Peter Quicke, Ninja Tune
Peter Quicke, Ninja Tune, Co-chair of IMPALA’s Sustainability Activity Drive, added: “Horst doesn’t simply speak about sustainability; he takes motion. His pragmatic strategy has made !K7 a mannequin for a way impartial labels can lead by instance — swiftly turning values into impactful practices.”
“I’m touched to obtain IMPALA’s award.”
Horst Weidenmüller
Horst Weidenmüller, CEO and Founding father of !K7 Music and Founder and chair of IMPALA’s Sustainability activity power, stated: “I’m touched to obtain IMPALA’s award. !K7’s tradition and values interprets into all of my work, whether or not it’s throughout music, sustainability, inclusion or digital and past.
“My mission with IMPALA is an extension of that, as is securing our standing as a licensed B-corps enterprise.
“This can be a shared journey we’re on, the place the impartial sector underlines time and time once more that we’re leaders. That’s one thing I’m tremendous happy with. Due to all of the IMPALA board members!”
“Horst is vital to advancing a few of the most vital challenges of our day.”
Karla Rogožar, IMPALA
Karla Rogožar, IMPALA’s sustainability lead stated: “Horst is vital to advancing a few of the most vital challenges of our day. Being one step forward as a accountable enterprise, !K7 additionally helps IMPALA place itself as a pacesetter and our members have the assist they should future-proof their companies.”Music Enterprise Worldwide
