KSI explains why he can no longer give Sidemen ‘100%’

KSI has revealed why he is leaving Sidemen after 13 years, saying he can no longer give the YouTube collective the commitment it deserves.

The content creator, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, announced on May 31 that he would no longer appear in Sidemen videos, describing the decision as one of the hardest moments of his career.

“This is honestly the hardest video I’ve ever had to make in my life,” he told fans.

KSI also shut down speculation that his departure was linked to any fallout within the group.

“Nothing bad has happened,” he said, stressing that the decision was entirely his own.

Instead, he said he had been pulled in too many directions as his career continued to expand beyond YouTube.

“Over the last few years, I’ve felt myself being pulled in a lot more directions than ever before,” he said.

“Between everything else in my life, I feel like I’ve been running at full speed.”

KSI added that the remaining Sidemen members deserved someone who could give the group “100%” moving forward.

Many fans initially assumed the announcement was a prank. However, KSI’s spokesperson later confirmed the news, while Sidemen said the decision had come as a surprise.

“We had an amazing time on this journey with him and we wish him all the best with his future endeavours,” the group said.

Founded in the early 2010s, Sidemen grew into one of YouTube’s biggest creator groups, with KSI becoming its most recognisable member through his work in music, boxing, television and business.

His departure marks a major change for the collective and the millions of fans who have followed its journey over the past decade.