Germany-born !K7, a prominent independent music company that operates in-house labels, as well as distribution and artist management services, has achieved B Corp status.
The company says that the milestone “underscores” its “dedication to social responsibility, transparency, and environmental performance.”
B Corp certification is an official recognition given to companies that meet strict criteria for social and environmental responsibility, accountability, and transparency.
This certification is awarded by a nonprofit organization called B Lab. The B Corp certification evaluates how a company’s operations and business model impact its workers, community, environment, and customers.
Achieving this certification, which can be seen here, means that !K7 is recognized for its commitment to ethical practices and sustainability in all aspects of its business.
The company says that it has committed to recertification every three years to ensure “we maintain these high standards”.
Founded in 1985, !K7 originally started as a music-video production company working with artists like Nick Cave and Mudhoney.
In 1993, it launched the DJ-Kicks mix series following on from several X-Mix albums, culminating in the release of DJ-Kicks: Kruder & Dorfmeister, as well as collaborations with artists like Peggy Gou, Disclosure, Four Tet & Haai to name just a few.
By 1996, !K7 was releasing artist albums, and expanded in 2001 with the specialist London-based label Strut joining the group, followed by the electronic label AUS.
In 2017, !K7 added modern classical label 7K!, followed by Eternal Source of Light and Soul Bank Music, dedicated to jazz and soul, while growing its artist and label services, sync and licensing teams, and artist management.
Over the years, !K7’s global presence has grown to include offices in New York and London, in addition to its flagship office in Berlin. The company has released music ranging from Sun Ra, Nubiyan Twist, and Mulatu Astatke to Eddington Again, Zara McFarlane, and Laurel Halo.
“We’re proud to be part of a global community of businesses that meet these high standards, and hope to encourage others within the music market to do the same.”
Horst WeidenMueller, !K7 founder
Commenting on the B Corp certification, !K7 founder Horst WeidenMueller, said: “We believe that embracing this responsibility will create a better, more rewarding company for our entire team, stakeholders, and shareholders.
“Transforming an organization has a far greater impact than individual efforts alone, and that’s why we have long been working on our carbon reduction plan and carbon footprint report to track our progress since 2019.”
He added: “We’re proud to be part of a global community of businesses that meet these high standards, and hope to encourage others within the music market to do the same.
“Being a certified B Corp means that we are part of a global movement of businesses that are committed to the highest standards of social and environmental impact.
“Being a certified B Corp means that we are part of a global movement of businesses that are committed to the highest standards of social and environmental impact.”
Tom Nieuweboer, !K7
COO of !K7, Tom Nieuweboer, added: “Earning the B Corp certification involves a comprehensive evaluation of our business model, operations, structure, and processes.
“It requires continuous improvement and a commitment to recertification every three years to ensure we maintain these high standards.
“Being a certified B Corp means that we are part of a global movement of businesses that are committed to the highest standards of social and environmental impact. We believe that businesses can be a force for good, creating lasting, positive change far beyond individual efforts.”
!K7 says that it is “committed to social responsibility within the music industry, encompassing [its] business, the environment, and our community”.
“We believe that embracing this responsibility will create a better, more rewarding company for our entire team, stakeholders, and shareholders,” the company added in an explainer issued alongside the announcement about its new B-Corp status.
The company has also highlighted several of its efforts, including Responsible and Sustainable Practices and Diversity and Inclusion, which it says contributed to achieving its B Corp status.
!K7 explains that it collaborates with industry bodies like AIM and IMPALA to develop standards for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and that it has clear guidelines in place to prevent discrimination and harassment as part of its Code of Conduct.
Meanwhile, !K7 says that it set a company-wide target to achieve net zero in the near future and significantly reduce its environmental impact as part of its carbon reduction plan.
The company’s carbon footprint report, which has tracked its progress since 2019, can be seen here.
Included in the company’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact is powering the !K7 office via a 100% green energy cooperative, with its servers also running on green energy. The company also says that it uses “100% renewable vinyl pressing initiatives” and houses its records in FSC-certified recycled sleeves.
Elsewhere, !K7 helped found the Impala Sustainability Strike Force, which aims to make the European independent music sector more sustainable.
The company also notes that it has a seat on the board of advisors at Murmur, a registered charity that focuses on the climate, founded by “leaders in climate strategy and the creative industries”.
Plus, for the second consecutive year, !K7 Music has completed a social project in partnership with Ernst-Reuter-Schule (ERS) in Berlin Wedding.
This collaboration provides tools and resources to students facing high rates of inequality, which the company notes “allow[s] us to give back to our local community”.
Music Business Worldwide