Olajide Olatunji, known as KSI, announced he is leaving the Sidemen YouTube collective through a social-media message [1].
As a founding member of one of the most influential content creator groups in the United Kingdom, Olatunji's exit marks a significant shift in the group's dynamic and future content strategy.
Olatunji, 32 [2], shared the news on his public channels over the weekend preceding the report [3]. In his statement, he said the remaining members of the collective should stay optimistic about the future [2].
“I’ll always be here,” Olatunji said [1].
Olatunji has been a member of the Sidemen for more than 10 years [4]. The group has grown from a small set of collaborators into a global brand with diverse business ventures, and massive digital reach.
Despite his departure, Olatunji said he intends to continue supporting the other members [2]. He said the process of leaving the group was like grieving Sidemen [2].
The announcement comes after years of Olatunji balancing his role within the collective alongside a career in professional boxing and music. The group is based in the United Kingdom and remains one of the most watched ensembles on the platform [1].
Olatunji's transition away from the group follows a pattern of diversification among top-tier creators who often pivot toward individual business empires as they age. He said the group should “be optimistic” regarding the transition [2].
““I’ll always be here,” Olatunji said.”
The departure of a core member like KSI from the Sidemen tests the viability of a creator-led brand when it is heavily tied to the individual personalities of its founders. While the group has diversified its revenue streams, the loss of one of its most visible stars may force a shift in how the collective produces content and engages its global audience.
