Last Updated on September 15, 2023
Olajide Olayinka Williams “JJ” Olatunji, better known by his professional name KSI, is an English YouTube personality, singer-songwriter, and boxer.
As a YouTuber, KSI is best known for being a founding member of the British YouTube collective Sidemen. He has been a famous figure on YouTube since 2009.
After registering impressive vlogging success, KSI decided to venture into rapping. He released his debut studio album, Dissimulation, in 2020. The album was a monumental success. It debuted at the #2 spot on the UK Albums Chart and paved the way for KSI’s second studio album, released a year later.
As a boxer, KSI is best known for being the chief executive officer (CEO) of Misfits Boxing. He has been involved in two high-profile boxing matches with fellow YouTuber Logan Paul.
KSI has also dabbled in acting over the years. His other professional ventures include writing and investing across multiple industries.
KSI Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji |
| Popular Name: | KSI |
| Nicknames: | JJ and The Nightmare |
| Birth Date: | June 19, 1993 |
| Age: | 30 Years |
| Parents: | Olajide Olatunji Sr. and Yinka Atinuke Olatunji |
| Siblings: | Deji Olatunji |
| Birth Place: | London, England |
| Nationality: | English |
| Ethnicity: | Black |
| Religion: | Agnostic |
| Education: | Berkhamsted School |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Children: | None |
| Net Worth: | USD 25 million (as at September 1, 2023) |
| Source of Wealth: | Vlogging, Singing, Boxing, Acting, Writing, and Other Ventures |
| Height: | 6′ 0″ (1.83 m) |
| Weight: | In kilograms: 85 kg; In pounds: 187 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji was born on June 19, 1993, in London, England, to Olajide Olatunji Sr. and Yinka Atinuke Olatunji. Both his parents are members of the Yoruba, a predominantly West African ethnic group.
KSI was raised in Watford, Hertfordshire, alongside his younger brother Deji Olatunji. Deji is also a YouTuber.
Education Background
KSI attended Berkhamsted School, a private school in Hertfordshire. He proceeded to college but dropped out of sixth form, choosing to launch his YouTube career instead.
Vlogging Career
KSI ventured into vlogging in 2008 by registering his first YouTube channel. He then launched his primary YouTube channel the following year and quickly racked up a huge following on the platform by posting commentaries of the FIFA video game series. The channel later diversified to also include comedy-style videos and blogs.
KSI has since followed up with two more YouTube channels. His main channel has over 24.1 million subscribers.
After enjoying moderate solo success on YouTube, KSI became a member of the British YouTube collective, Sidemen, in October 2013. The group is famous for posting videos across several genres, mostly challenges, video-game commentaries, and sketches. They also sell exclusive merchandise.
On August 3, 2017, KSI made several tweets announcing his falling out with the Sidemen and impending exit from the group. His decision to finally leave the group was confirmed through a YouTube video posted three days later.
Music Career
KSI leveraged his earlier success on YouTube to venture into the music industry. He released his debut single, “Lamborghini” on March 23, 2015. The song, which featured British grime MC P Money, charted at #30 on the UK Singles Chart.
On January 8, 2016, KSI released his debut extended play (EP), titled “Keep Up.” The EP was released through Island Records. It debuted at #1 on the UK R&B Albums Chart and #13 on the UK Albums Chart.
KSI followed with a second EP, “Jump Around,” on October 28, 2016. The album was also released through Island Records and registered even better success. One of its lead tracks, “Touch Down,” was featured on the soundtrack of the 2017 movie Baywatch.
On June 30, 2017, KSI released his third and the first independently released EP, “Space.” He subsequently followed with his fourth EP on October 6 that year, titled “Disstracktions.”
On April 12, 2019, KSI released his first and only collaborative album to date – New Age. The album debuted at #1 on the UK R&B Albums Chart and #17 on the UK Albums Chart.
KSI released his debut studio album, Dissimulation, on May 22, 2020. The album debuted at #2 on the UK Albums Chart. It also charted in fifteen other countries, making it KSI’s most successful music project by then.
‘Dissimulation’ became the best-selling debut album in the UK by a British artist in 2020. It went on to be certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) after hitting sales of 100,000 copies.
KSI’s second studio album, ‘All Over the Place,’ was released on July 16, 2021. Like its predecessor, the album became a smashing hit in the UK. It debuted at #1 on the UK Album Charts and also went on to earn a gold certification from the BPI.
KSI has continued to release tons of collaborative tracks. Among his most recent singles are “Summer Is Over,” “Voices,” and “Easy,” all released in 2023.
Boxing Career
KSI’s first publicized boxing event was an amateur fight with fellow British YouTuber Joe Weller on February 3, 2018. He won the fight in the second round by technical knockout.
On November 9, 2019, KSI squared it out with another fellow YouTuber with whom he’d been feuding – Logan Paul. This was his debut professional fight and the second with Paul, after their previous amateur match ended in a majority draw. KSI won the fight by split decision.
KSI founded the boxing promotion company Misfits Boxing in 2021. The company’s first event was a fight between KSI and a British rapper named Swarmz. KSI easily won the match via second round knockout to earn the MF cruiserweight title. He successfully defended his MS cruiserweight title by beating Mexican professional boxer Luis Alxaraz Pineda via third round knockout.
KSI’s next major fights were a win against Brazilian YouTuber FaZe Temperrr and a no contest against pro boxer and entrepreneur Joe Fournier.
Other Ventures
KSI has published a few books during his career as a YouTuber and singer. The rapper released his first book on September 24, 2015, a biography titled “KSI: I Am a Bellend.” He subsequently embarked on a tour to popularize the book.
His second book, “I Am a Tool: How to Be a YouTube Kingpin and Dominate the Internet,” was published five days later.
KSI has also featured in a few films and television shows. His debut major acting role was in the direct-to-video comedy film Laid in America (2016). He followed up the documentary film KSI: Can’t Lose (2018) and the documentary KSI: In Real Life (2023).
On television, KSI has had roles on The Gadget Show (2013), The Big Narstie Show (2018), Top Gear (2020), Celebrity Gogglebox (2020 – 2021), Blue Peter (2021), and All or Nothing: Arsenal (2022).
KSI has also been involved in the video game industry. He published the video game “KSI Unleashed” in 2016, a joint partnership with Endemol Shine Group.
Private Life
KSI is currently single and has not been in highly-publicized romantic relationships. He spends much of his time doing charity works.
The rapper has donated thousands of dollars to various movements, including the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation.
KSI is also an outspoken supporter of London-based football club Arsenal F.C.
KSI’s Net Worth
KSI’s net worth is a staggering $25 million, as at September 1, 2023. His wealth is a result of his various endeavors in the entertainment industry, including vlogging and rapping.
Boxing has also been KSI’s other major income earner.
KSI’s first fight with Logan Paul reportedly attracted 1 million pay-per-view watchers plus another 1.2 million who streamed the match illegally on Twitch. According to estimates, the fight generated $13 million in revenue. It’s likely that KSI and Paul each took home at least $2 million.
For the rematch, both boxers received an estimated $3 million each. That was inclusive of a minimum guaranteed amount of $900,000 each.
Lessons from KSI
1. Celebrate your achievements with those who matter
KSI has achieved much as a vlogger, rapper, and boxer. He’s been known to celebrate his accomplishments with his family members by tagging them in many of his YouTube videos.
2. Never stay where you’re unappreciated
KSI’s public persona portrays him as a go-getter. However, the controversial rapper doesn’t hesitate to leave groupings where he feels he’s being trodden upon.
A case in point is when he left the Sidemen after falling out with fellow group members. He even went as far as to release diss track videos directed at his former Sidemen colleagues.
3. It’s okay to court a little controversy
KSI is known for his penchant for controversy. Besides his messy separation with the Sidemen, the rapper has come under fire for his self-described ‘rape-face.’
KSI has also been the subject of sexual harassment allegations, which saw major brands like Microsoft cut ties with him. That’s not to mention numerous racial and transgender accusations leveled against him.
Although KSI has apologized in most cases, the publicity generated from these controversies has played a key role in catapulting him further to the spotlight.
Famous Quotes by KSI
• A lot of people think being at the top means you have to be the best at a certain game. You don’t. It’s more about personality.
• I’m now a brand. Like, KSI is a brand. It’s crazy that it all came from me sitting in my bedroom just making a few FIFA videos. Share this Quote KSI
• School taught me how to do a 9-5 job rather than be a person who wants to start a business.
• The best decision I ever made was to drop out of school.
• They should just open lots of YouTube schools… as well as, like, a games school, where you can play all types of games. Like, if you want to play racing games, you go there and become a pro at that. Same for football or a shoot ’em up.
Final Word
KSI is a famous vlogger, rapper, and boxer who has also involved himself in acting and writing. His various endeavors have translated into his $25 million net worth.
