After 13 years, it's all over. KSI announced his departure from Sidemen, the British YouTube community that helped him become one of the most recognizable digital content creators in the world.
The announcement was posted, appropriately enough, on his YouTube channel under the title "I'm Leaving Sidemen." It came just hours after the show's finale. Britain's Got Talent , where he was a judge, and was confirmed to the BBC and the Press Association by his representatives, despite speculation from fans that it could be a publicity stunt.
What KSI said about leaving Sidemen
A still from KSI's music video titled "I'm Leaving Sidemen.".
ksi/youtube
Like many others, this YouTuber is leaving the group to focus on his solo career and personal well-being.
«"Honestly, this is the hardest video I've ever had to make in my life," KSI said in a statement. "I hesitated for a long time before making this decision. I spent months trying to figure out what was right. But after much consideration, I've decided that I will no longer be making Sidemen videos. Today, May 31st, will be my final Sidemen video. Even saying these words out loud feels surreal.".
He called the band a "second family" and admitted that balancing his work in Sidemen with his growing personal commitments was becoming increasingly difficult. "We've created something none of us ever thought possible.".
The 32-year-old made it clear that there was no conflict or drama behind the decision, which should put the rumours to rest a little.
He said he had been pulled in "so many different directions" over the past few years that he felt unbalanced and had difficulty finding time for his family and loved ones.
KSI then extended personal thanks to the rest of the Sidemen: Simon Minter (Miniminter), Vikram Barne (Vikkstar123), Ethan Payne (Behzinga), Harry Lewis (W2S), Tobit Brown (TBJZL), and Joshua Bradley (Zerkaa), sharing personal memories and warm words of support.
Who is KSI: Biography and Career
KSI, real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, first appeared on YouTube in 2009, uploading FIFA commentary videos from his bedroom, and built a large enough audience to join the Sidemen collective when it formed in 2013.
The Sidemen currently have 23 million subscribers on YouTube.
The personal channels of KSI, JJ Olatunji, and KSIClips collectively have over 44 million subscribers.
Besides YouTube, his career spans music (his album Dissimulation (reached number two in the UK charts in 2020), professional boxing (fans will remember his infamous fight against Tommy Fury), television, and numerous business ventures. Earlier this year, he also retired from boxing.
KSI's net worth and business empire
Forbes magazine ranked KSI second on its list of the highest-paid content creators in 2023, with an annual income of $24 million. His wealth comes from several different sources.
His most significant stake is in Prime Hydration, a sports drink maker he co-founded with Logan Paul in 2022. According to Bloomberg, Prime's sales peaked at $250 million in 2022 and reached $1.2 billion the following year. However, in 2024, UK sales fell by almost $501 billion.
His other projects include XIX vodka, Sidemen clothing, Sides restaurants, and LUNCHLY, a snack collection he launched with MrBeast and Logan Paul. In 2024, the product faced criticism for its health claims and reports of mold contamination. He is also a co-founder of Misfits Boxing and a shareholder and strategic partner of Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club.
In 2021, he was included in Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Europe in Entertainment list.
What does KSI's departure mean for Sidemen?
Sidemen is a British YouTube collective founded in 2013, best known for their football challenges, comedy videos, and charity events, including an annual charity match held in recent years at West Ham United's London stadium.
In addition to their main channel with 23 million subscribers, they operate the channels MoreSidemen, SidemenReacts, and SidemenShorts as part of one of the UK's largest content distribution networks. Their Netflix show, announced in January 2024, represents their most significant foray into the entertainment world. KSI has been their most recognizable face throughout their run, so his departure represents the most significant personnel change in the group since its inception.
Whether the remaining six members will continue to perform as Sidemen without KSI, and under what name or structure, has not been officially discussed by the group at the time of publication.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com.