IMPALA, the pan-European organisation for the independent music community, has presented its annual Outstanding Contribution Award to Horst Weidenmüller, founder and CEO of Berlin-based !K7 Music.
The award comes as !K7 approaches its 40th anniversary, and recognises Weidenmüller’s work within the independent music community, including as a leading voice promoting the need for the music industry to prioritise sustainability.
Announcing the award, Helen Smith, Executive Chair of IMPALA, says: “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”.
Referencing Weidenmüller's work within IMPALA itself, Smith continues, “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”.
Weidenmüller himself says, “I am touched to receive IMPALA’s award", adding that “!K7’s culture and values translates into all of my work, whether it is across music, sustainability, inclusion or digital and beyond”. His work with IMPALA, he explains, “is an extension of that”, because “this is a shared journey we are on, where the independent sector underlines time and time again that we are leaders”.
Weidenmüller founded !K7 in 1985, originally as a music video production company, with the business expanding in the following decades so that it now includes five labels - !K7 Records, Strut, 7K!, Ever and Soul Bank Music - plus a label services division and sync licensing service. Within the indie community, as well as sitting on the IMPALA board and co-chairing its sustainability task force, Weidenmüller is also a member of the board at digital licensing organisation Merlin.
In its announcement of the Outstanding Contribution Award, IMPALA says, “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”, IMPALA goes on, “reflects !K7’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, and positively impacting the community”.
Ninja Tune’s Peter Quicke, who co-chairs IMPALA’s sustainability task force adds: “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”.