You can edit almost every page by Creating an account. Otherwise, see the FAQ.

KSI

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

KSI
File:KSI_August_2018.png File:KSI_August_2018.png
KSI during the weigh-in before his amateur boxing match with Logan Paul in August 2018
BornOlajide William Olatunji
(1993-06-19) 19 June 1993 (age 31)
London, England[1][2]
💼 Occupation

Olajide William "JJ" Olatunji (born 19 June 1993),[3] better known as KSI (shortened from his online alias KSIOlajideBT),[upper-alpha 1] is a British YouTube personality, internet personality, comedian, actor, rapper and white-collar boxer.[4][5] After establishing himself on his YouTube channel, which, as of November 2018, has more than four billion video views and more than 20 million subscribers to make it the 65th most subscribed channel on YouTube,[6] he has also become well known for his music. KSI released his debut extended play, Keep Up, in 2016, reaching number one on the UK R&B Albums Chart as well as charting in several other countries.

Entertainment career[edit]

YouTube[edit]

KSI shooting a video in 2012

Before his successful channel, Olajide had a YouTube channel (which is still online) called JideJunior, which he created on 24 April 2008.[7] Olajide opened his current YouTube account on 24 July 2009, with a video about the FIFA video game franchise.[8] According to his website, YouTubers such as Weepeler and Hjerpseth inspired him to start his own YouTube career. His main channel was previously focused on association football and FIFA, although he played other games such as Grand Theft Auto V and other PC-based modifications on his secondary channel (KSIOlajidebtHD).[9] His secondary channel contains videos of him playing more casual, arcade and horror games in a manner similar to that of fellow YouTuber PewDiePie.

In February 2013, KSI appeared on the video "KSI VS FIFA // The Record Slam" made by GWRomg in which he broke the previous world record for 'the most goals scored against computer' of 110 goals, by scoring 190 goals. As a result, his name appeared in the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition (2013).[10]

After defeating Virgin Gaming co-founder Zach Zeldin in a match of FIFA, KSI visited Las Vegas,[11] where he discussed YouTube's launching of a paid-channel subscription project.[12]

In October 2013, KSI signed with Maker Studios' sub-network, Polaris.[13]

On 19 October, he and four other gaming YouTubers formed a group called the Ultimate Sidemen (later shortened to just the Sidemen), which initially consisted of himself, Ethan Payne (Behzinga), Simon Minter (Miniminter), Josh Bradley (Zerkaa), and Tobi Brown (TBJZL). The group decided to add a sixth member in Vikram Barn, known as Vikkstar123, the following month. The group then added a seventh member, Harry Lewis (wroetoshaw or "W2S" for short), in 2014.

2017[edit]

KSI performing in 2016

In early 2017, KSI stopped uploading videos to YouTube, later releasing a video in July stating that he was displeased with the direction YouTube seemed to be going. On 4 August 2017, KSI tweeted that he would be leaving the Sidemen group due to internal conflicts with fellow Sidemen member Ethan Payne.[14][15] Shortly thereafter, he released a number of diss track videos criticising members of his then-former group, to which most of the members responded back with their own.[15]

Later that month on 15 August, KSI released a video in which he claimed that he was being deported from the United States (as he was staying in Los Angeles at the time) for receiving an incorrect visa,[16] returning to the group's private mansion which he co-owns, but was otherwise not returning to the group. However, by the following month, he officially rejoined the Sidemen.[citation needed] This led to accusations that the Sidemen group manufactured their conflicts for the sake of getting views, as KSI and the other Sidemen gained a large number of views and subscribers upon uploading their diss tracks.

Most notably, YouTuber Joe Weller released a diss track of his own criticising KSI and Sidemen for faking their "Sidemen war", which led to KSI and Weller attacking each other on Twitter.[15] This resulted in their announcing, at an annual content creator-focused event called Upload (which KSI and some of the other Sidemen members founded), that they would be facing each other in a boxing match on 3 February 2018 at Copper Box Arena in London.[15] During the announcement, the two YouTubers verbally and physically confronted each other, with KSI making fun of Weller's struggles with depression.[15] Both released follow-up videos with KSI apologising for his remarks. In November 2017, KSI released a video discussing the issue of whether his supposed fight with the Sidemen was real or fake, with him saying that "[t]he drama wasn't entirely real, but wasn't entirely fake either."[15] (See the Amateur boxing section below for information on the match.)

Music[edit]

In 2011, KSI branched out into music, mainly as a rapper. Starting out with fellow YouTuber Randolph, he released "Heskey Time", a rap song about footballer Emile Heskey which was released on iTunes just before Christmas in 2011. The video features Heskey missing various chances on FIFA. Following the success of "Heskey Time", he began doing a segment on his channel called "Football Rap Battles", a video series, on which he and Randolph play the characters of famous figures from the world of football. Although it started off with raps featuring world footballers including Mario Balotelli and managers like Sir Alex Ferguson, one involves KSI as himself against Robin van Persie, hitting out at van Persie's acrimonious transfer from Arsenal to rivals Manchester United. He appeared in music videos with Droideka, directing and appearing in his music video for his song Get Hyper, whilst also collaborating with British rapper Sway, releasing two tracks with the London born rapper.[citation needed]

KSI released his first single as a solo artist on 23 March 2015 titled "Lamborghini", which features rapper P Money. The song was released under Sway's record label Dcypha Productions.[citation needed] On 29 October 2015, KSI announced his debut EP titled Keep Up. It was released on 8 January 2016 by Island Records.[citation needed] The EP's title track, featuring Jme, was released on 13 November 2015 alongside a music video released two days later. On 29 July 2016, KSI released "Friends with Benefits" featuring Dutch musical group MNDM.[citation needed] The song was released as a single to his second EP Jump Around, which was released on 28 October. KSI self-released his third EP, Space, on 30 June 2017, before releasing a fourth titled Disstracktions three months later. The latter became his second EP to top the UK R&B Albums Chart.[citation needed]

Controversy[edit]

KSI was the centre of a controversy following his actions at a Eurogamer event in 2012,[17][18] raised after he appeared at the Xbox One launch party in London.[19] With the reasoning of the controversy due to sexual harassment of attendees at the event from KSI, Microsoft cut ties with KSI and he was banned for life from the Eurogamer Expo.[20] A message from KSI's manager stated: "Sexism is not something he condones or wants to be associated with. He wishes to apologise for any offence the video of 15 months ago may have caused in the short time it was on his YouTube channel, references to it since and subsequently used by other people. In recent months, he has also been actively avoiding certain content seen in the distant past and wants to be judged on the great content and value he gives to brands and partners, without controversy."[21]

Amateur boxing career[edit]

KSI during the weigh in for his boxing match against Joe Weller

On 3 February 2018, KSI competed in his first white collar amateur boxing match against fellow YouTube personality Joe Weller (KSI vs. Joe Weller) at the Copper Box Arena in Hackney Wick, London, winning the fight 1 minute and 30 seconds into the third round by way of technical knockout.[22] On YouTube, the fight drew 1.6 million live viewers, 21 million views within a day,[23] and over 25 million over the next several days, becoming the biggest white-collar boxing fight in history.[24] KSI was awarded the YouTube Boxing Championship Belt.[25]

KSI showed respect to Weller after the fight for being "way harder, way tougher than I thought," and praised him for his commitment to raising awareness on mental health issues. He then proceeded to call out American internet personality Logan Paul, his brother Jake Paul, and retired footballer Rio Ferdinand.[26]

On the weekend of 24 February 2018, it was announced that the Paul brothers would be fighting the Olatunji brothers (KSI and his younger brother Deji, also known as ComedyShortsGamer) in a boxing match,[27] with the matches divided between relative ages (the elder brothers KSI vs. Logan Paul in one match and the younger brothers Deji Olatunji vs. Jake Paul in another match).[27] One judge scored the fight in favour of KSI and two judges scored a draw, resulting in a majority draw.[28] The fight has been labeled "the largest event in YouTube history"[29][30] and "the largest ever amateur boxing fight".[31]

Amateur boxing record[edit]

Professional record summary
2 fights 1 win 0 losses
By knockout 1 0
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
2 Draw 1–0–1 Logan Paul MD 6 25 Aug 2018 Manchester Arena, Manchester, England Retained YBC title
1 Win 1–0 Joe Weller TKO 3 (6), 1:30 3 Feb 2018 Copper Box Arena, London, England Won inaugural YBC title

Other media[edit]

In 2015, KSI released a book titled KSI: I Am A Bellend, called KSI: I Am A Tool in the United States. It is described by its publishers as “an all-out assault on the online universe”,[32] as the book includes his history and controversies on YouTube.[33] The book was released on 24 September 2015 in the UK and five days later in the United States.[33] KSI did a tour supporting the book on 24 September 2015, ending on 4 October 2015.[33]

Personal life[edit]

KSI's younger brother, Deji Olatunji, is also a well known YouTube personality who was previously known as ComedyShortsGamer until August 2018 when he decided to revert to using his real name. The brothers both ranked number one and two respectively as "UK’s Most Influential YouTube Creators" by Tubular Labs in 2015.[34][35]

In late November 2018, it was revealed that KSI and Deji have had an falling out which began when Deji leaked KSI's personal bank records during a diss track video toward YouTube personality Randolph. KSI later condemned Deji's actions when reacting to the diss track and had also expressed his disappointment towards his parents for allowing the publication of his financial records.[36] However, by early-January 2019, the beef between the two brothers was squashed, with Deji apologising to KSI for his "impulsive" and "rash" behaviour.[37]

KSI was born in London but grew up in Watford, Hertfordshire.[1] He attended the Berkhamsted School together with fellow Sidemen member Simon Minter (miniminter).[38]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
2016 NME Award Vlogger of the Year KSI Won [39]

Discography[edit]

Collaborative albums[edit]

List of collaborative studio albums, with selected details
Title Album details
New Age
(with Randolph)

Extended plays[edit]

List of extended plays
Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[41]
UK R&B
[42]
CAN
[43]
NZL
[44]
SCO
[45]
US R&B/HH
[46]
US Rap
[47]
Keep Up
  • Released: 8 January 2016
  • Label: Island
  • Formats: CD, digital download
13 1 63 23 15 19 14
Jump Around
  • Released: 28 October 2016
  • Label: Island
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Space
  • Released: 30 June 2017[48]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, digital download
[upper-alpha 2] 87
Disstracktions
  • Released: 29 September 2017[50]
  • Label: Island
  • Formats: Digital download
31 1

Singles[edit]

As lead artist[edit]

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, certifications and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[51]
UK
HH/R&B

[52]
AUS
[53]
CAN
[54]
DEN
[55]
EST
[56]
HUN
[57]
IRE
[58]
LIT
[59]
NOR
[60]
"Lamborghini"
(featuring P Money)
2015 30 7 61 Non-album single
"Keep Up"
(featuring Jme)
45 7 78 90 Keep Up
"Goes Off"[61]
(featuring Mista Silva)
2016 Jump Around
"Friends with Benefits"
(with MNDM)
69 12
"Jump Around"
(featuring Waka Flocka Flame)
[upper-alpha 3]
"Creature" 2017 100 Space
"Uncontrollable"
(featuring Big Zuu)
2018 89 Non-album singles
"On Point" [upper-alpha 4]
"Ares"[65]
"Beerus"[66]
(with Randolph)
[upper-alpha 5] New Age
"Red Alert"[68]
(with Randolph)
2019
"Down Like That"
(featuring Rick Ross, Lil Baby and S-X)
10 3 77 37 26 87 Dissimulation
"Wake Up Call"
(featuring Trippie Redd)
2020 11 7 92 85 36 26 23
"Poppin"
(featuring Lil Pump and Smokepurpp)
43 23 52
"Houdini"
(featuring Swarmz and Tion Wayne)
6 5 [upper-alpha 6] 34 11
"Killa Killa"
(featuring Aiyana-Lee)
27 15 33
"Really Love"
(featuring Craig David and Digital Farm Animals)
3 25 18 All Over the Place
"Don't Play (Extended Edit)
(with Anne-Marie, Digital Farm Animals and CTI)
2021 3 61 94 37 14 8 85 37
"Don't Play"
(with Anne-Marie and Digital Farm Animals)
2 20 9 99
"Patience"
(featuring Yungblud and Polo G)
3 61 94 37 14 8 85 37
"You"[71] To be released
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist[edit]

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[72]
"Sweaty Goals"
(as BlacknWhite)
2012 68 Non-album single
"No Sleep"
(Sway featuring KSI, Tigger Da Author and Tubes)
2013 44 Wake Up
"Christian Bale"
(Yogi featuring Casey Veggies, Knytro, Sway, KSI and Raptor)
2014 Burial
"MAC-10 Flow"
(Sway featuring KSI)
Non-album single
"Slow Motion"[73]
(Randolph featuring KSI)
2018 New Age

Notes[edit]

  1. "KSI" stands for "Knowledge, Strength, Integrity".
  2. Space did not enter the NZ Top 40 Albums Chart but peaked at number six on the NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart.[49]
  3. "Jump Around" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but debuted at number 73 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart.[62]
  4. "On Point" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but debuted at number 86 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart and number 23 on the UK Independent Singles Chart.[63][64]
  5. "Beerus" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 43 on the UK Independent Singles Chart.[67]
  6. "Houdini" did not enter the Australian Singles Chart, but debuted at number 36 on the Australian Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart.[70]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 FaZe Clan (3 February 2018). "TRAINING KSI - Exclusive Documentary". Retrieved 10 July 2018 – via YouTube.
  2. Zerkaa (19 August 2017). "KSI - Little Boy (Official Lyric Breakdown)". Retrieved 10 July 2018 – via YouTube.
  3. Olatunji, Olajide (8 January 2017). "WTF HAVE YOU DONE?!". YouTube. Retrieved 20 January 2017. For those of you that don't know, my real name is Olajide William Olatunji; William being my English name.
  4. Guinness World Records 2016 Gamer's Edition - Page 61 "The fastest lap of Laguna Seca in GT 5 (two players) is by Callum McGinley and Olajide Olatunji (both UK) on 8 August 2013."
  5. "This Is Your Chance To Ask KSI Anything As We Go In The Zone". MTV UK. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  6. "Top 100 YouTubers sorted by Subscribers - Socialblade YouTube Stats | YouTube Statistics". socialblade.com. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  7. "JideJunior". YouTube. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  8. Olatunji, Olajide. "KSIOlajidebt Home". Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  9. "KSIOlajidebtHD". YouTube. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  10. "GWR OMG: Watch KSI attempt FIFA 13 goals record in Arsenal v Tottenham showdown". Guinness World Records News. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  11. C., Carl (13 February 2013). "KSIOLAJIDEBT VIDEO IN VEGAS FOR CHALLENGE SERIES!". Virgin Gaming. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  12. "KSIOlajidebt and Ali-A on YouTube pay channel charging". BBC. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  13. Gutelle, Sam (29 October 2013). "Captain Sparklez, KSIOlajidebt, Ali-A Among New Polaris Gamers". Tubefilter. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  14. Kent, Mike (4 August 2017). "KSI Confirms Rumors Regarding His Involvement [With] The Sidemen". Dexerto. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 Alexander, Julia (30 January 2018). "YouTubers, FIFA gamers set for momentous boxing match to settle months of drama". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  16. Kent, Mike (August 2017). "KSI Reveals He's Being Deported from the US". Dexerto. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  17. Cordell, Ben (5 October 2012). "YouTube Celeb KSI Sexually Harasses Attendees At Expo". StickTwiddlers. Archived from the original on 2012-10-10.
  18. KSI (3 January 2017). "REACTING TO "SEXUAL HARASSMENT"". Retrieved 10 July 2018 – via YouTube.
  19. Totilo, Stephen (6 October 2012). "Booth Babes Not The Only Embarrassment At Eurogamer Expo". Kotaku. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  20. Schreier, Jason (23 November 2013). "YouTuber Says He Was Censored For Criticising Another YouTuber". Kotaku. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  21. Yin-Poole, Wesley (23 November 2013). "YouTuber KSI dumped by Microsoft after Xbox One launch appearance". Eurogamer. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  22. Emma Kelly (3 February 2018). "KSI wins clash against Joe Weller in the third round". Metro. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  23. "KSI Vs Weller Got Over 20 Million Views On YouTube Last Night". LADbible. 4 February 2018.
  24. "KSI Reveals What He Said to Joe Weller in the Ring During a Breakdown of the YouTuber Boxing Fight". Dexerto. 7 February 2018.
  25. "KSI Wants You to Choose One of Six Personalities to Fight Next for the YouTube Boxing Championship Belt". Dexerto. 19 February 2018.
  26. Jessica Lindsay (4 February 2018). "KSI vs Joe Weller result – What happened and who will KSI fight next?". Metro. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  27. 27.0 27.1 Alexander, Julia (26 February 2018). "YouTube boxing just went international, so when does YouTube get involved?". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  28. "Who won KSI vs Logan Paul fight? Result from YouTube boxing fight in Manchester". mirror. 25 August 2018.
  29. MoreSidemen (24 August 2018). "THE BIGGEST EVENT IN INTERNET HISTORY..." – via YouTube.
  30. Hamdani, Adam (25 August 2018). "KSI and Logan Paul weigh-in ahead of 'biggest internet event in history'". Independent. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  31. Radio Times Staff (22 August 2018). "KSI v Logan Paul: why are YouTube's biggest stars going to fight in the boxing ring?". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  32. Ditum, Nathan. "Why it's worth trying to understand KSI, YouTube's most controversial star". NewStatesman. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 "YouTubing 'bell-end' KSI: 'I'm a really nice guy'". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  34. "Two Nigerian Brothers, Olajide & Deji Olatunji Top UK's Most Influential YouTube Creators". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  35. "Only a third of UK's top 10 most influential YouTuber's traffic originates in UK". The Drum. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  36. "YouTube star KSI blasts family for leaking his banking info: 'Don't you f*cking dare'". The Daily Dot. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  37. "Deji deletes KSI diss track and apologises in surprising twist to scathing family feud". Metro News. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  38. miniminter (23 February 2018). "Eating the World's Moldiest Cheese!". Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  39. "NME Awards 2016 with Austin, Texas full winners list". NME. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  40. "KSI on Twitter "April 12th"". Twitter. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  41. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named UK
  42. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  43. "KSI – Canadian Albums Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  44. "Charts.org.nz – KSI – Keep Up". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  45. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  46. "R&B/Hip Hop Albums: Week of 30 January 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  47. "Top Rap Albums: Week of 30 January 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  48. "Space – EP by KSI on iTunes". Apple Inc. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  49. "NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  50. "Disstracktions – EP by KSI on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  51. Peaks of KSI's singles on the UK Singles Chart:
  52. Peaks of KSI's singles on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart:
  53. Peaks of KSI's singles on the Australian Singles Chart:
  54. "KSI Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2020. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  55. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named DEN
  56. Peaks of KSI's singles on the Estonian Singles Chart:
  57. Peaks of KSI's singles on the Hungarian Singles Chart:
  58. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IRE
  59. Peaks of KSI's singles on the Lithuanian Singles Chart:
  60. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NOR
  61. "Goes Off (feat. Mista Silva) – Single by KSI". Apple Music. Retrieved 29 April 2016. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  62. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  63. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  64. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  65. "Ares – Single by KSI". Apple Music. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  66. "Beerus – Single by KSI & Randolph". Apple Music. Retrieved 14 December 2018. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  67. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  68. "Red Alert – Single by KSI & Randolph". Apple Music. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  69. 69.0 69.1 69.2 69.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named BPI
  70. "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  71. Paine, Andre (26 April 2021). "KSI confirms guest stars Future, 21 Savage & Bugzy Malone for second album All Over The Place". Music Week. Retrieved 26 April 2021. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  72. Peak chart positions for singles in the United Kingdom:
  73. "Slow Motion (feat. KSI) by Randolph on Apple Music". Retrieved 13 July 2018.

External links[edit]


This article "KSI (entertainer)" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.