YouTube phenomenon KSI opens up about life before making it online
The rapper revealed he turned to the web for an "escape" while discussing new single Jump Around
WITH three billion views on his channel and 14 million subscribers, YouTube star KSI is one of the most popular people the online world has to offer - but this hasn't always been the case.
During an exclusive interview with VEVO, while promoting his latest single Jump Around, the social media influencer revealed he used to be a "nerd."
KSI, real name Olajide "JJ" Olatunji, confessed: “I was very nerdy at the start… and making videos was my escape.
“They helped without me even knowing.”
The London based star first launched his channel in 2009 – before branching out into music in 2011.
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The entrepreneur, whose impressive credentials include rapper, comedian, actor and YouTube personality, released his first solo track in March 2015 after previously collaborating with a series of rappers.
Since then, KSI’s releases have earned him a series of Top 40 charting singles.
Most noticeably, KSI’s Keep Up EP topped the UK R&B chart in January this year – and peaked at 13 in the official album chart.
When asked what type of musical genre he’d put himself in, KSI told VEVO’s Yasmin Evans: “I love that people like to put me in the grime genre – but I’m just a guy that likes to make music – all types of music.”
KSI’s Jump Around is available to stream on Spotify now – following the single, the rapper will be taking to the stage with a headline tour this November.
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