The story of international success found its beginnings back in 1985 with the idea of releasing digital video clips. Later on came the specially mixed DJ sets to go with them and the X-Mix series was born.

Ten years later, the DJ-KiCKS series came to life. Bearing in mind that DJ mix albums for the home stereo were completely unheard of at this time it was a revolutionary concept. Thrilled by the idea of bringing the vibrant sound of the dancefloor to the listener's home, music innovators such as Kruder & Dorfmeister, Nightmares On Wax, Booka Shade and Chromeo have all dared to explore new frontiers, earning the DJ series worldwide fame.

In 1996, !K7 started releasing artist albums and over a decade later is still reaping the rewards of this set-up with artist albums from the likes of Tosca, Matthew Herbert, Joakim, Ursula Rucker, Cobblestone Jazz and The Herbaliser.

In 2008 Strut joined the !K7 label group. Between 1999 and 2003 Strut the UK based imprint released everything from Nigerian afrobeat, leftfield disco to rare groove. The label was re-launched in January 2008 and besides a host of critically acclaimed compilations, new artist albums have been released including Grandmaster Flash’s first studio album in 15 years. It has also give rise to the series ‘Inspiration Information’ in which contemporary producers and vocalists collaborate with classic artists that have heavily influenced their career such as Amp Fiddler and Sly & Robbie, Mulatu and The Heliocentrics. Strut’s founder, Quinton Scott, is responsible for A&R.

In 2001 Rapster Records, a new label under the !K7 label group umbrella, started focussing on urban, soul and hip hop. Since then, Rapster has been releasing records by some of the most impressive artists from the hip hop and soul scenes.

DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pete Rock and Roy Ayers are just some of the names on the labels’ fine roster. Always looking for opportunities to work with partners of excellence and to explore new possibilities and styles, Rapster forged an alliance with UK based soul aficionado Peter Adarkwah whose label BBE has been dealing in diverse, eclectic sounds covering many genres from old scratchy Brazilian grooves through 70's funk via jazz fusion and new hip hop for over a decade.

And with special projects such as the Exit Music “Songs with Radio Heads” compilation or the Kings of… series (featuring Masters at Work, RZA, Gilles Peterson and many more), as well as the Beat Generation albums, Rapster’s reputation as one of the hottest hip hop labels to date established itself in no time.

Gold Dust also became part of the !K7 label group in 2008. A&R’d from the US office, it focuses mainly on American artists and has signed various hip hop legends such as Large Professor, People Under The Stairs and Zion I, alongside rising new stars Parallel Thought & Vic D. The label is also working on many other exciting new projects so it’s no wonder that Gold Dust looks set to firmly establish itself as one of the worlds leading hip hop imprints.