Create Music Group Expands Its Reach
After securing an impressive $165 million in last year’s investment round, which valued it at $1 billion, Create Music Group continues its expansion by acquiring an independent music company based in Berlin, ! K7.
The financial details surrounding this acquisition remain undisclosed. The independent music company has stated that this move is dedicated to preserving the legacy of K7 founder Horst Weidenmüller, who passed away in February at the age of 60.
Weidenmüller, a notable German music director, established ! K7 in Berlin in 1985 and has held positions on the boards of Impala and Merlin.
Currently, ! K7 operates in Berlin, London, and New York, transitioning from being solely an electronic music label to a multifaceted music company that offers a wide range of services to artists and labels.
“Although 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 evolved into a global powerhouse while remaining true to its independent spirit.”
Volume Nieuweboer, ! K7
“This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for ! K7, enabling us to expand our vision while staying true to our core values of independent artistry, innovation, and quality,” said ! K7 CEO Volume NieuWeBoer.
Honoring a Legacy
Create Music Group indicated that the acquisition process began prior to Weidenmüller’s passing.
In a statement made by Weidenmüller before his death, he expressed, “This transition is deeply personal for me, but I trust that with Create Music Group, ! K7 is in good hands.”
“Create Music Group shares our commitment to artists, labels, and creativity, and I believe this partnership will strengthen the legacy of ! K7, paving new pathways for the future. I am thankful to our incredible team, partners, and artists for being part of this journey – what we have built together will continue to thrive and evolve for many years.”
“Long before he passed away, we spent countless hours discussing ways to invest further in ! K7 to help the business reach new heights while preserving the unique culture and principles that define it.”
William Smith, Create Music Group
William Smith, the Chief Financial Officer of Create Music, stated: “Horst was a remarkable music entrepreneur who built ! K7 into a globally recognized brand over 40 years.”
“Long before he passed, we spent many hours discussing methods to invest in ! K7 to help the business achieve new heights while preserving its unique culture and principles. We take pride in Horst trusting us with his legacy as we embark on this new chapter for ! K7, and we are excited about our partnership with Tom and the rest of the team to realize this shared vision.”
The Future of Electronic Music
For Create Music Group, founded in 2015, this acquisition signifies an expansion of its presence in electronic music, according to Eric Nguyen, SVP of Global Corporate Development and M&A at Create Music. “We are thrilled to welcome ! K7 and its iconic DJ-Kicks series into the Create Music family.”
In addition to the DJ-Kicks series, ! K7 brings several other assets to Create, including its imprints Persistent and 7k!.
“This acquisition not only deepens our presence in electronic music but also reinforces our commitment to advancing music across a wide spectrum of specialized genres represented by globally respected labels,” Nguyen stated.
“We take pride in nurturing the innovative spirit that characterizes ! K7’s catalog. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to write the next chapter for ! K7, its exceptional roster of artists, and its collaborators worldwide.”
The acquisition of ! K7 marks Create Music Group’s latest endeavor, following its recent purchase of electronic music producer and DJ Deadmau5‘s catalog along with his label Mau5Trap for $55 million last month.
In February, Create announced its strategic acquisition of a catalog and a joint venture with Records Package from New York and New Orleans.
In November, the company acquired the British label and music publisher Coker, and in December, it secured a 50% stake in the London label and publisher Increased.
Founded in 1985, ! K7 initially started as a music production company, collaborating with artists such as Nick Cave and Wise. The company launched the DJ-Kicks mix album series in 1993 following Weidenmüller’s release of the X-MIX series and live video production. The DJ-Kicks series has provided a platform for DJs and producers to create mixes, showcasing contributions from artists such as Kruder & Dorfmeister, Peggy Gou, Jayda G, Discovery, Moodymann, DJ Koze, and Honey Dijon.
In February 2024, K7 achieved B Corp certification, an official recognition awarded to companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency by a nonprofit organization called B Lab.
Create Music Group acquires !K7 Music, founded by the late Horst Weidenmüller
