KSI is a content creator, rapper and entrepreneur from England. He is a co-founder of the Sidemen, a YouTube collective with members from different parts of the United Kingdom. He is also a co-owner of XIX Vodka, Sides, and Prime Hydration. As of 2023, KSI has an estimated net worth of £16 million.
Background
He was born in Watford, England, on July 19, 1993. His father is Olajide Ademola Olatunji, Sr. who is from Ibadan, Nigeria. His mother is Olayinka Atinuke from Islington, London.
The real name of KSI is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji. His other popular nickname is JJ, which is believed to be a shortened version of his birth name.
JJ went to Berkhamsted School in Berkhamsted, where he met Simon Minter, a fellow YouTuber and eventual Sidemen member. Much to his parents’ disgust, he decided to drop out of high school to become a full-time content creator on YouTube.
YouTube Career
He created his first YouTube channel under the name JideJunior. He began uploading videos to YouTube in 2008, with the majority of them covering FIFA.
Fortunately, he attracted a big fanbase and soon expanded his range of content. Since October 19, 2013, KSI has been a member of the Sidemen. They make sketches and funny challenges to entertain their audience.
In 2016, he was named Vlogger of the Year by the NME Awards. At the time of writing, his main channel KSI has 23.7 million subscribers, and his secondary channel JJ Olatunji has 14.8 million.
Music Career
KSI’s debut single Lamborghini was released on March 23, 2015, after he wrote and recorded comedy-rap tracks for his YouTube channel in 2011. He later produced more songs independently.
He secured a deal with RBC Records and BMG on November 4, 2019, to develop his musical career. Dissimulation, his first studio album, was released on May 22, 2020.
His second album, All Over the Place, was released on July 16, 2021. It peaked at the UK Album Charts at number one. His second track of the album, Really Love, also became certified gold.
Boxing Career
As an amateur boxer, his first match was in late 2017 against another YouTuber named Joe Weller. Their battle was sparked by disagreements on social media and a couple of diss tracks. JJ won by technical knockout against a much smaller opponent.
Olatunji then fought Logan Paul for his second match. It was considered the biggest amateur boxing match ever. However, it ended in a draw. Thus, they had a rematch as pros in November 2019 and KSI won by split decision.
Logan Paul was once his rival in the ring but now the pair are business partners. They started a sports hydration drink business called Prime Hydration. Logan’s net worth is $30 million, making him slightly richer than KSI’s fortune of $26.4 million.
Income Sources
The YouTuber makes around £3 million per year from his various entrepreneurial ventures. Aside from earning from ads, he also sells merch on shopksi.com and king-apparel.com.
He mainly makes money from music, boxing, and investing. He put half of his fortune into a property empire worth approximately £10 million. KSI claimed to have made £7 million from crypto investments, but the value has reduced due to Bitcoin’s price falling.
Personal Life
JJ admitted to being in a relationship during an appearance on Logan Paul’s podcast but he never revealed her name. Sadly their relationship didn’t last as his girlfriend didn’t want any publicity. Currently, he’s now single.
