Tribute to Horst Vaidenmüller
Horst Vaidenmüller, a highly regarded founder and general director of the renowned independent music company in Germany, !K7, passed away at the age of 60.
The company confirmed this news in a social media post today (February 10), stating that “after a serious illness,” Vaidenmüller “left us too early.”
The statement from !K7 continued: “His vision, passion, and dedication have shaped !K7 since 1985 into what it is today, and his legacy will continue to inspire us.”
“In addition to his role at !K7, Horst was a passionate advocate for the independent music community. As a long-standing member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Independent Music Companies, Merlin, and IMPALA, he played a crucial role in strengthening and defending the independent sector globally. His contributions had a lasting impact on the industry and will always be remembered.”
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched. We will honor his memory by promoting the work and values he instilled in us.”
“!K7 remains committed to pursuing his vision with the same passion and integrity that he exemplified.”
“Rest in peace, Horst / Mick. You will be greatly missed. We kindly request that you respect the privacy of his family during this time.”
Legacy of !K7
Founded in 1985, !K7 initially began as a music production company collaborating with artists such as Nick Cave and Mudhoney.
In 1993, it launched the DJ-Kicks mix series, followed by several X-Mix albums, culminating in the release of DJ-Kicks: Kruder & Dorfmeister, alongside collaborations with artists like Peggy Gu, Disclosure, Four Tet, and Haai.
“His vision, passion, and dedication have shaped !K7 since 1985 into what it is today, and his legacy will continue to inspire us.”
Statement from !K7
By 1996, !K7 had expanded its artist roster and grew in 2001 when the London label joined the group, followed by the Electronic label Aus.
In 2017, !K7 introduced a modern classic label, 7K!, followed by a source for Light and Soul music, dedicated to Jazz and Soul, while also enhancing its artist services for synchronization, licensing, and management.
Over the years, !K7’s global presence expanded to include offices in New York and London, in addition to its flagship office in Berlin.
The company has released music from artists like Sun Ra, Nubiyan Twist, and Mulatu Astatke, as well as Eddington, Zara McFarlain, and Lorel Halo.
Recently, the company received B Corp certification.
Acknowledgments and Contributions
In December, Vaidenmüller was honored as the recipient of the Impala Award for Outstanding Contributions.
Impala stated that the decision to honor Horst Vaidenmüller was made at a recent board meeting, recognizing his “important role” in the European independent sector and a career spanning nearly 40 years.
Beyond his work at the label, Vaidenmüller contributed to the broader independent music sector, serving on the IMPALA board since 2003 (as vice president until 2011) and as a member of the Merlin board of directors, advocating for the rights of independent musicians, stability, and inclusivity.
Commenting on receiving the outstanding Impala award, Vaidenmüller stated at the time: “I am honored to receive an IMPALA award. The culture and values of !K7 are reflected in all my work, whether in music, stability, inclusivity, or digital realms and beyond.”
