Horst Weidenmüller, the founding father of legendary German dance label !K7 Data, has died on the age of 60.
The corporate confirmed the information on Monday (February 10) in an announcement to Billboard. “After a critical sickness, Horst Weidenmueller has left us far too quickly on the age of 60,” the assertion mentioned. “His imaginative and prescient, ardour and dedication formed !K7 since 1985 into what it’s at this time, and his legacy will proceed to encourage us.”
The reason for demise has not been confirmed.
“Our ideas are together with his household, associates and everybody whose lives he touched,” the label added. “We’ll honour his reminiscence by carrying ahead the work and values he instilled in us. !K7 stays dedicated to persevering with his imaginative and prescient with the identical ardour and integrity that he embodied.”
We’re deeply saddened to listen to in regards to the passing of Horst Weidenmüller. Our ideas go to all at !K7, his household and associates. pic.twitter.com/wH2CAQtQHF
— Warp Data (@WarpRecords) February 11, 2025
Weidenmüller based the label in Berlin in 1985 after shifting to the German capital from the Black Forest on the age of 21. Initially specializing in music video manufacturing, it was related to artists together with Nick Cave and Mudhoney, but it surely was within the ‘90s that !K7 turned related to dance and techno.
They pioneered the X-Combine video and DJ combine sequence within the early ‘90s, which featured producers resembling Laurent Garnier and Richie Hawtin, after which in 1995 the label launched DJ-Kicks, the long-lasting compilation sequence.
Early entries within the DJ-Kicks sequence included Detroit techno legend Carl Craig, trip-hop artists Smith & Mighty and US duo Thievery Company. The sequence continues to this present day, with the 83rd and most up-to-date entry being combined by Steven Julien and being launched in November 2024.
!K7 was initially named after the corporate’s authentic Berlin deal with, Kaiserdamm 7, and the corporate now has bases in New York Metropolis and London.
Weidenmüller was lately honoured with the Excellent Contribution Award at a ceremony hosted by the Unbiased Music Corporations Affiliation, an organisation the place he had served as a board member and president.
