Olajide "KSI" Olatunji announced he is leaving the YouTube collective known as the Sidemen after 13 years [1].
As a founding member of one of the most influential content creator groups in the world, Olatunji's departure marks a significant shift for the digital entertainment landscape. The move affects a brand built on the chemistry of seven distinct personalities who have dominated YouTube for over a decade.
Olatunji shared the news in a video posted on May 12, 2024 [1]. He said the process of filming the announcement was the hardest video he has ever made [3]. The announcement came the day after the Britain’s Got Talent final [1].
In the video, Olatunji addressed his audience from the United Kingdom. He said that the group of seven became his "second family" [2]. Despite the emotional nature of the exit, he clarified that there was no conflict behind the decision.
"Nothing bad happened; I'm just been running at 100mph and need time for my health and family," a spokesperson for Olatunji said [2]. This reference to running at 100 mph [3] highlights the exhaustion associated with maintaining a high-profile career across music, boxing, and content creation.
Olatunji manages a personal YouTube channel with 23 million subscribers [1]. His departure follows a long period of growth for both his individual brand and the Sidemen collective. While some reports described the move as stepping back, the primary announcement stated he is leaving the group [1].
Throughout the video, Olatunji emphasized the necessity of the break. He said the decision was painful but required for his personal well-being. The video served as a formal farewell to the collective that helped define his early career on the platform.
“"The group of seven became my ‘second family.’"”
The departure of a founding member from a cornerstone digital collective like the Sidemen illustrates the increasing tension between the demands of the 'creator economy' and personal mental health. As influencers scale into multi-industry entrepreneurs, the burnout associated with constant content production often necessitates a complete break from the systems that initially launched their fame.
