KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, has officially announced that he is leaving The Sidemen after 13 years with the group, marking the end of one of the most influential partnerships in YouTube history.
He shared the announcement in a video titled “I’m leaving the Sidemen”, posted to his 18.4 million subscribers. In the video, he explained that over the past few years he has been pulled in many different directions across his career, but stressed that the decision to leave was entirely his own and not influenced by any disagreement within the group.
The news quickly sparked reactions online, with some viewers initially questioning whether the video was genuine. However, it was later confirmed as real, and the rest of The Sidemen released their own statement acknowledging his departure. They described the news as unexpected and said they were “sad to share” that KSI had chosen to step away, while also reassuring fans that the group will continue with new projects already in development.
KSI also made it clear that there is no conflict between him and the other members. He thanked them for years of collaboration, friendship, and shared success, emphasizing that their relationship remains positive despite the split.
Over the years, KSI has grown far beyond YouTube content creation. He has become a mainstream entertainment figure through multiple ventures, including his role as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, involvement in high-profile boxing matches, business investments, and ownership stakes in football club Dagenham & Redbridge.
The Sidemen, meanwhile, remain one of the most successful creator collectives on the platform, with a combined audience of over 140 million subscribers. Their content has evolved from early gaming videos to large-scale entertainment projects spanning challenges, documentaries, and reality-style series.
In recent years, the group has also expanded into television and streaming platforms, including Netflix productions and other branded content deals. Despite KSI’s departure, The Sidemen are expected to continue their growth with upcoming projects already planned.
