KSI facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
KSI
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KSI in 2024
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Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji
19 June 1993 London, England
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| Education | Berkhamsted School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| YouTube information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2009–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Subscribers | 25 million (main channel) 44.78 million (combined) |
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| Total views | 6.01 billion (main channel) 14.38 billion (combined) |
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| Associated acts | Sidemen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subscriber and view counts updated as of 15 January 2025. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Years active | 2015–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji (born on June 19, 1993), known as KSI, is a famous English influencer, professional boxer, and musician. He is a co-founder of the popular YouTube group called the Sidemen. KSI also leads Misfits Boxing and co-owns businesses like Prime Hydration and Lunchly.
Born in London and growing up in Watford, KSI went to Berkhamsted School. He started his main YouTube channel, KSI (originally KSIOlajidebt), in 2009. He became popular by sharing gaming videos of the FIFA game series. Later, his videos included vlogs and comedy. In 2019, The Sunday Times named him one of the most influential online creators in the UK. By January 2025, he had over 44 million subscribers and 14 billion video views across his YouTube channels.
KSI began making hip-hop music in 2011. His song "Lamborghini" (with P Money) became a hit in 2015. His first album, Dissimulation (2020), reached number two on the UK Albums Chart. His second album, All Over the Place (2021), hit number one and was certified platinum. He has had many top songs in the UK and received an award in 2024 for over a billion music streams. He also acted in the film Laid in America (2016) and was featured in documentaries like In Real Life (2023).
He started boxing in 2018 against Joe Weller. He had two fights against American YouTuber Logan Paul, winning their professional match in 2019. In 2022, he fought two opponents in one night, winning both. In 2023, he fought FaZe Temperrr, Joe Fournier, and Tommy Fury. He lost to Tommy Fury by decision.
Early Life and Education
Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji was born on June 19, 1993, in London. He grew up in Watford, Hertfordshire. His parents are from the Yoruba ethnic group. He attended Berkhamsted School, where he met Simon Minter, who would later become a Sidemen member.
KSI's younger brother, Deji Olatunji, is also a YouTuber and boxer. In 2015, they were ranked as top YouTube creators in the UK.
YouTube and Online Journey
How KSI Started on YouTube
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KSI created his first YouTube account in 2008. His current channel, "KSIOlajidebt," started on July 24, 2009. He uploaded videos where he played and talked about the FIFA video game. The name "KSI" stands for Knowledge Strength Integrity.
He left college to focus on his YouTube career when he started earning money from his videos. His parents supported him later and even appeared in some of his videos. By 2012, his channel reached one million subscribers. He then started making more vlogs and playing different games.
Joining the Sidemen and Growing Online
In October 2013, KSI joined the British YouTube group called the Sidemen. The group makes online videos, often featuring challenges, funny skits, and video game commentary. They also sell their own merchandise.
In 2014, KSI worked with Comedy Central UK on a comedy series called KSI: Demolished. He was also ranked as one of the most popular personalities among U.S. teenagers. In 2016, Business Insider named him the top British YouTube star.
In 2019, The Sunday Times listed him as the second most influential UK influencer. In 2020, The Times called him Britain's biggest influencer. Forbes recognized him in their "30 Under 30 Europe" list in 2021 and as the second-top creator in 2023. In July 2024, KSI appeared in a MrBeast YouTube challenge.
Music Career
Early Songs and Albums
KSI started making comedy–rap songs for his YouTube channel in 2011. His first official song, "Lamborghini" (with P Money), came out in March 2015. It reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart.
His first extended play (EP), Keep Up (2016), reached number one on the UK R&B Albums Chart. He released more singles like "Goes Off" and "Friends with Benefits" from his second EP, Jump Around. One of his songs, "Touch Down," was even in the 2017 Baywatch movie soundtrack.
Independent Music and Big Hits
In 2017, KSI released "Creature" independently. His fourth EP, Disstracktions, came out in October 2017 and topped the UK R&B Albums Chart. He decided to release music on his own after this.
In 2019, KSI released a joint album with Randolph called New Age. It reached number 17 on the UK Albums Chart. Later that year, he signed with RBC Records and BMG to grow his music career. His song "Down Like That" (with Rick Ross, Lil Baby, and S-X) became a top 10 hit.
His first studio album, Dissimulation, was released in May 2020. It reached number two in the UK and was certified gold. He also had success with "Lighter" by Nathan Dawe and "Loose" by S1mba.
Chart-Topping Success
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In October 2020, KSI released "Really Love" with Craig David and Digital Farm Animals, which reached number three in the UK. His song "Don't Play" with Anne-Marie and Digital Farm Animals debuted at number two in January 2021, his highest-charting single so far.
His second album, All Over the Place, was released in July 2021. It became his first number one album in the UK. The song "Holiday" from this album also reached number two. He later released "Lose" with Lil Wayne, which entered the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 2022, KSI signed with Atlantic Records. He released "Not Over Yet" with Tom Grennan, which charted at number four. In December, he released a Christmas song with the Sidemen called "Christmas Drillings". In 2023, he released "Voices" and "Easy". He continues to release new music.
Boxing Career
Starting with Joe Weller
In late 2017, KSI and fellow British YouTuber Joe Weller had disagreements online. They decided to settle their differences with an amateur boxing match on February 3, 2018, in London. KSI won the fight by technical knockout in the third round. After the fight, KSI showed respect for Weller and then challenged American YouTuber Logan Paul.
Fights Against Logan Paul
On February 24, 2018, it was announced that KSI would fight Logan Paul in an amateur boxing match. The fight ended in a draw.
A rematch took place on November 9, 2019, in Los Angeles. This time, it was a professional fight without headgear. KSI trained with professional boxers Viddal Riley and Jeff Mayweather. KSI won the fight by split decision.
Return to Boxing
Fighting Swarmz and Pineda
After a break, KSI returned to boxing on August 27, 2022. He was supposed to fight Alex Wassabi, but due to an injury, Swarmz replaced him. This event was the first under KSI's new company, Misfits Boxing.
KSI then announced he would fight a second opponent on the same night. He defeated Swarmz by knockout in the second round. He then defeated professional boxer Luis Alcaraz Pineda by knockout in the third round.
Facing FaZe Temperrr and Joe Fournier
On January 14, 2023, KSI fought FaZe Temperrr in London. KSI won by knockout in the first round.
On May 13, 2023, KSI fought professional boxer Joe Fournier. KSI originally won by knockout, but the result was later changed to a no-contest because replays showed an accidental elbow strike.
First Loss Against Tommy Fury
On October 14, 2023, KSI fought Tommy Fury in Manchester, England. Fury won the fight by a unanimous decision. After the fight, KSI felt the decision was unfair and appealed the result, but the appeal was rejected. The event was very popular, with many people watching.
Future Boxing Plans
KSI announced in June 2024 that he would return to the ring in August. He considered fighting former champion Amir Khan. He also challenged two other internet personalities, Slim Albaher and Anthony Taylor, to a 2-on-1 match. However, KSI later withdrew from the August fight due to an injury. He is now planning to return in early 2025, possibly against former footballer Wayne Bridge.
Other Projects
Acting and Films
In 2016, KSI starred with Caspar Lee in the comedy film Laid in America. In 2018, he released a documentary film called KSI: Can't Lose, which showed his journey to his boxing match against Joe Weller.
KSI also appeared in the Amazon Original sports docuseries All or Nothing: Arsenal. In 2023, Amazon Prime Video released KSI: In Real Life, a documentary about his life and career.
Business Ventures
KSI and the Sidemen have started many businesses. They launched Sidemen Clothing in 2014. In 2021, they opened a restaurant chain called Sides. They also have their own vodka brand, XIX Vodka, and a breakfast cereal brand, Best Cereal.
In 2021, KSI created his own record label, "The Online Takeover," with his manager. He signed artists like Aiyana-Lee and Yxng Dave.
In June 2021, KSI partnered with Wasserman Boxing to start a boxing company called Misfits Boxing. They hold boxing events called "MF & DAZN: X Series." In January 2022, KSI and Logan Paul founded a drinks company called Prime, which sells sports drinks and energy drinks. In 2024, KSI, Paul, and MrBeast launched Lunchly, a company that makes kids' lunch kits.
In November 2024, KSI became the president of the UK version of Baller League, a six-a-side football league.
Video Games and Books
In 2016, KSI released a video game called KSI Unleashed for mobile phones. He also helped promote the game EA Sports UFC 3 in 2018. In August 2021, KSI hosted a virtual album launch party inside the game Roblox.
In 2015, KSI published his autobiography, KSI: I Am a Bellend. In 2016, he and the Sidemen released a book called Sidemen: The Book, which became a best-seller in the UK.
Wrestling Appearances
KSI has also appeared in WWE events. In April 2023, he was at WrestleMania 39 during Logan Paul's match. He wore a Prime Bottle costume and got involved in the match. In March 2024, he appeared on WWE SmackDown to celebrate Prime's partnership with WWE.
Personal Life
KSI supports Arsenal F.C. He has said that he is agnostic, meaning he doesn't know if God exists.
In 2021 and 2023, KSI apologized for using offensive language in Sidemen videos. He later visited a mosque to learn more and understand the hurt he caused.
KSI is a very successful online creator and businessman. He has earned a lot of money from his YouTube videos, music, boxing matches, and various business ventures. He has also invested in different companies.
Giving Back to Charity
KSI has supported many charities. In 2015, he donated to a charity stream and participated in an event to raise money for SpecialEffect, which helps people with disabilities play video games.
In 2020, he helped at a food bank and prepared meals for charity campaigns. In 2021, he donated to Comic Relief and signed an open letter encouraging black British people to take the COVID-19 vaccine. In December 2023, KSI had a charity boxing match against streamer IShowSpeed, raising over £50,000 for the Anthony Walker Foundation.
Images for kids
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KSI performing in 2019 on his New Age tour
See also
In Spanish: KSI (youtuber) para niños
