KSI is likely a familiar name to those who’ve been on social media a bit over the last 10 years. While he made it big off his YouTube videos, he’s now also known as an actor, rapper and (amateur) boxer.
But how did he get so famous in a world of YouTubers? Read on to find out about his age, net worth, and more about his life.
In This KSI Article…
KSI Quick Facts
| Name: | Olajide Olayinka Williams “JJ” Olatunji |
| Age: | 29 |
| Date of Birth: | 19th June 1993 |
| Nationality: | British |
| Height: | 6ft / 1.87m |
| Net Worth: | $25 million (estimated) |
| YouTube: | KSI – 24.1m subscribers, JJ Olatunji – 16.2m subscribers |
| Instagram: | @ksi – 12.7m followers |
| TikTok: | @ksi – 11m followers |
| Twitter: | @KSI – 8.8m followers |
Who is KSI?
KSI – full name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – is an internet celebrity who found fame on YouTube by uploading gaming commentary videos. He now has over 9.3 billion views on his videos between his two channels (KSI & JJ Olatunji). KSI is also known for his music and boxing matches against fellow YouTubers.
What Does “KSI” Stand For?
KSI stands for Knowledge, Strength, Integrity. He has “Knowledge” tattooed on his chest and has “Strength” and “Integrity” tattooed on each arm.
KSI YouTube Channel
KSI’s first YouTube channel was created in April 2008, which primarily consisted of videos he uploaded of himself playing FIFA and COD: Modern Warfare 2.
He began branching out to more vlog-style and comedic videos during 2011, which helped him increase his popularity, gaining 3 million subscribers by the end of 2013.
He became part of a British entertainer collective called the Ultimate Sidemen in 2013, where he helped other YouTube personalities gain popularity and expand their followings.
He announced his departure from the group in 2017, however it was later revealed he never actually left and was more of a publicity stunt to increase interest and attention.
KSI was both the first British Youtuber and the first person of colour to receive YouTube’s Diamond Play button (an award for reaching 10 million subscribers on the site).
His accounts are now the 3rd (KSI) and 14th (JJ Olatunji) most subscribed British YouTube accounts respectively.
KSI has said the defining moment of him committing to a YouTube career was when realised he was earning more money than his teachers, after which he decided to quit school.
KSI Music
As KSI’s YouTube career continued to flourish, he began branching out into other avenues such as music where he has been quite successful, especially in the UK.
His first song ‘Lamborghini’ reached the 30th spot on UK singles charts and his debut EP ‘Keep Up’ found its way to 1st place on the UK R&B albums chart.
He then released his second EP “Jump Around”, featuring “Friends with Benefits” and “Touch Down”, which appeared on the soundtrack of the 2017 film Baywatch.
In 2017, KSI released his third EP “Space” and his fourth EP “Disstracktions”, which includes diss tracks against fellow Sidemen members W2S and Behzinga.
KSI’s first collaborative album, “New Age”, with Randolph, was released in 2019. He then signed with RBC Records and BMG to record his debut studio album, “Dissimulation”, featuring several singles including “Down Like That” with Rick Ross, Lil Baby, and S-X.
The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and was the UK’s best-selling debut album by a British artist in 2020. KSI also featured on “Lighter” by British DJ and record producer Nathan Dawe in 2020.
KSI Boxing Career
Amateur Career
In 2017, KSI had public disagreements and diss-tracks with British YouTuber Joe Weller, leading to an amateur boxing match in February 2018 to settle their feud.
He won in the 3rd round by a TKO and expressed respect for Weller’s commitment to mental health awareness.
The event drew 1.6 million live viewers and 21 million views within a day, making it the biggest “white-collar boxing event” of all time.
Following the fight, KSI called out American YouTubers Logan Paul and Jake Paul, as well as retired footballer Rio Ferdinand.
On 24 February 2018, it was announced that KSI would be fighting Logan Paul in a white-collar boxing amateur match.
Professional Career and Exhibition Bouts
KSI’s first fight against Logan Paul ended in a majority draw in August 2018.
A rematch between KSI and Paul was held in November 2019 as a professional fight without the use of headgear, and KSI won via split decision.
KSI announced his partnership with Wasserman Promotions to launch a boxing promotional company, “Misfits Boxing,” in June 2021.
KSI’s return to boxing as the main event for Misfits Boxing’s first event was scheduled for 27 August 2022 against Alex Wassabi, but due to Wassabi’s concussion, Swarmz replaced him.
KSI defeated Swarmz via second-round knockout and Luis Alcaraz Pineda via third-round knockout on the same night to win the ICB World cruiserweight title and retain his MF cruiserweight title.
KSI defended his MF cruiserweight title against FaZe Temperrr, replacing Dillon Danis, who withdrew due to lack of preparation, lack of a coach, and issues with the contracted weight, via first-round knockout in January 2023 at Wembley Arena, London.
KSI Acting
KSI has acted in a couple of movies and documentaries. In 2016, he appeared in a British comedy film called Laid in America.
In 2018, he released a documentary film called KSI: Can’t Lose which shows the behind-the-scenes of his boxing debut against Joe Weller.
He also made a brief appearance in the Amazon Original sports docuseries All or Nothing: Arsenal, which documented the club’s 2021-22 season.
Recently, it was announced that a documentary called KSI: In Real Life would be produced by Amazon Prime Video and Louis Theroux, focusing on KSI’s life and career.
KSI Video Games
In 2016, KSI released a video game called KSI Unleashed with Endemol Shine Group for iOS and Android systems. KSI criticized fellow YouTuber PewDiePie’s game for not being free, while his game was.
KSI Unleashed was later removed from the Google Play Store and App Store for unknown reasons.
In 2018, KSI and the Sidemen released a boxing-themed game called BoxTuber for iOS and Android systems. The game featured different YouTubers that the player can fight and climbed to the top of the UK iTunes charts within 24 hours of release.
BoxTuber was later removed from the Google Play Store and App Store for unknown reasons.
In 2018, KSI trained with former UFC middleweight world champion Michael Bisping to promote EA Sports UFC 3.
KSI Family
JJ’s parents, Jide and Yinka Olatunji are of Nigerian heritage. They both have made frequent appearances on KSI’s channels.
His younger brother Deji is also a YouTuber who uploads gaming videos, vlogs, and pranks to his channel Deji which has over 10.5 million subs. While the two have formerly butted heads, they are now close and appear in each other’s videos occasionally.
KSI Girlfriend
KSI’s most recent relationship ended in November 2021, but the identity of the girl remains unknown, as KSI managed to help keep her out of the public eye.
He did, however, confirm the end of the relationship in a YouTube video posted on 4 November 2021 and is quoted as saying, “I’ve been in my relationship for three-plus years now, and I think me not letting anyone know who she is has been a huge factor.”
KSI revealed in his new Amazon documentary that he and his former girlfriend have reconciled, after their split in 2021 was publicly disclosed.
KSI Net Worth
KSI’s net worth is estimated at $25 million, but KSI himself has estimated his net worth could be upwards of $30 million.
He’s accumulated his wealth mostly through YouTube and sponsorships but has also found success in music and boxing, making $900 000 for his second fight against Logan Paul.
KSI also owns more than 10 properties around England, with a combined worth of over £10 million.
KSI Reddit
KSI has his own subreddit page on Reddit. KSI doesn’t post much if anything on the thread himself, but there are currently 2.6 million followers (or Sidemen, as they’re called) on the thread that post regular content of anything related to KSI.
This includes reaction videos KSI has posted to his YouTube channel, memes relating to KSI’s various endeavours, such as boxing, his relationships or his YouTube content and images of KSI performing live.
KSI and Logan Paul: Prime
Logan Paul and KSI launched their beverage brand, Prime Hydration, in January 2022.
As of January 2023, Paul announced that the brand has earned US$250 million in retail sales globally, with US$45 million of those sales occurring in January 2023 alone.