Create Music Group (CMG) has acquired !K7, the music company founded by the late Horst Weidenmüller, who passed away in February of this year.
Based in Berlin, London and New York, !K7 has operated as an independent record label, publisher and management company since 1985 and is home to imprints such as !K7 Records, Strut and 7K!.
The company is also known for DJ-Kicks, an established series of DJ mix albums. Launched in 1993, DJ-Kicks provides a platform for DJs and producers such as Kruder & Dorfmeister, Peggy Gou, Jayda G, Disclosure, Moodymann, DJ Koze and Honey Dijon.
Horst Weidenmüller was a German music executive, producer, entrepreneur and founder of !K7. He became a pivotal figure in the Berlin techno scene through his X-Mix series and live video productions.
An advocate for independent artists and labels, he also served on the board of several organisations, including IMPALA and Merlin Network.
Tom Nieuweboer (pictured), CEO of !K7, said: "Though Horst Weidenmüller, the founder of !K7, is no longer with us, his words and vision continue to resonate. Over the past 40 years, !K7 has grown into a global force while staying true to its independent spirit. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for !K7, allowing us to scale our vision while staying true to our core values of independent artistry, innovation and quality.”
We’re proud that Horst has trusted us with his legacy and the next chapter of !K7’s growth
William Smith
Before his passing, Horst Weidenmüller shared the following In his own words: “This transition is a deeply personal one for me, but I know that with Create Music Group, !K7 is in the right hands. Create Music Group shares our commitment to artists, labels, and creativity, and I am confident that this partnership will strengthen !K7’s legacy while opening new doors for the future. I want to thank our incredible team, partners, and artists for being part of this journey – what we have built together will continue to thrive and evolve for years to come.”
“The partnership further strengthens CMG’s global infrastructure and enhances its artist services through !K7’s global brand recognition, deep knowledge of the European landscape and physical distribution network,” said a statement. Create Music added that !K7’s artists and label partners will be able to leverage CMG’s in-house services spanning distribution, marketing and proprietary technology.
“Horst was a special music entrepreneur who built !K7 over 40 years into a globally renowned brand,” said William Smith, chief financial officer of Create. “Long before he passed, we spent many hours discussing ways that we could invest more into !K7 to help the business reach new heights, while also preserving the culture and principles that make the business so unique. We’re proud that Horst has trusted us with his legacy and the next chapter of !K7’s growth, and are excited to partner with Tom and the rest of the team in achieving this shared vision.”
“We are thrilled to welcome !K7 and its iconic DJ-Kicks series to the Create Music Group family,” said Eric Nguyen, SVP global corporate development and M&A at Create. “This acquisition not only deepens our footprint in electronic music but also reinforces our commitment to forward-thinking music across a wide spectrum of specialist genres represented by its globally respected imprint Strut Records.
“We’re proud to support the innovative spirit that defines the !K7 catalogue. We look forward to powering the next chapter for !K7, its exceptional roster of artists, and its visionary label partners around the world."
In February 2024, !K7 became one of the few independent music companies to achieve B Corp certification.
PHOTO: Till Budde
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