Britain’s Got Talent is back on ITV this weekend, and there’s a fresh face on the judging panel. KSI, a name that will ring a bell for younger viewers and boxing enthusiasts, is not just one of the UK’s top influencers but also boasts an impressive boxing career.
But for those who aren’t familiar with KSI, here’s a rundown of his career so far and what we know about his life.
Real name and early life
Born Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, KSI grew up in Watford, Hertfordshire. During his school years, he struck up a friendship with Simon Minter, better known as Miniminter, who would later become a fellow member of the YouTube group, the Sidemen.
KSI’s journey to internet stardom began in 2008 when he started posting videos of himself playing FIFA from his bedroom at his parents’ house. As his fan base expanded, he branched out into vlogging and hit a million subscribers in 2012. His nickname, KSI, is an acronym for Knowledge Strength Integrity.
(Image: PA)
KSI’s career
In 2013, KSI became part of the Sidemen, a collective of British YouTubers that counts some of the country’s most influential online personalities among its members. He became involved in presenting online gaming and esports shows as well as making comedy sketches and more.
By 2019, The Sunday Times had ranked him second in their list of the top 100 UK influencers, second only to gamer PewdieDiePie.
In 2015, KSI dropped his debut single Lamborghini, which climbed to number 30 in the UK singles chart. He’s since released two studio albums, four EPs, and a whopping 22 singles. His album All Over the Place topped the UK album charts in 2021.
KSI is also recognised for his boxing career, which kicked off in 2017 with an amateur match against YouTuber Joe Weller to settle a feud. KSI was declared the winner, and the following year he faced Logan Paul. The first match ended in a majority draw, but KSI won their rematch.
(Image: PRIME HYDRATION)
Since then, KSI has stepped into the ring with professional boxers like Tommy Fury and Dillon Danis, with millions tuning in to watch his matches on Pay Per View.
In 2023, Louis Theroux produced a documentary for Amazon Prime titled KSI: In Real Life, offering a glimpse into a year in the life of the influencer, including his performances at Reading and Leeds Festival, and his tour that concluded at Wembley Arena.
Alongside his fellow Sidemen, KSI has launched several business ventures. They’ve introduced Sidemen Clothing, a restaurant chain named Sides, their own vodka, and even a cereal.
In 2021, he set up a record label and a boxing promotions business, and the following year he teamed up with Logan Paul to launch Prime, which quickly became a massive hit and sold out across the UK.
KSI net worth
(Image: Getty Images)
With so many business ventures to his name, you might be curious about KSI’s net worth. The Times compiled a list of the UK’s top 30 wealthiest gamers and creators in 2024, placing the Sidemen at number 21 with an estimated collective fortune of £50 million.
Back in 2020, KSI disclosed in a chat with Men’s Health that he owns ten properties across England, collectively valued at over £10 million. The Sunday Times has also estimated KSI’s annual income at around £13 million, suggesting he likely has a substantial net worth overall.
Britain’s Got Talent returns at 7pm on Saturdays on ITV1 and ITVX.
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