KSI is a jack of all trades and master of all. The 26-year-old is a bonafide YouTube sensation, a boxer, author, and actor. Now, he’s cutting his teeth in the music realm.
The auteur boasts collaborations with some of the hottest names in the game like Trippie Redd, Rick Ross, Lil Pump & Smokepurpp. 2020 will see him drop his debut album and to say that we’re hyped would be the understatement of the century.
Tone Deaf were desperate to pick the brains of this multitalented man and his litany of achievements, so we recently got on the dog and bone and shot through a few burning questions. Check out what he had to say for himself below.
Check out ‘Poppin’ by KSI:
TD: What’s a typical day for KSI like managing all those incredible exploits that you do?
KSI: Alright, well let’s try today. Today I woke up fairly early, I had a Sidemen shoot.
And then after that, I went to see a stylist, to get ready for me to go to the global awards. Because I have to hand in an award. And then you know, I get some food in me somewhere. So I go to the global awards, do the red carpet, take a few photos, and then do a few interviews.
And then eventually it’s my turn to give someone an award and you know have a little speech. And then I give the award. And now, got back and I’m doing more interviews.
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Well, it’s 12 more weeks in the morning, and I’m out still doing interviews. After this I’m going to go straight to bed, wake up nice and early, I’d say around 8-9ish, go on a run, maybe like a 10k run.
TD: Light work.
KSI: Yeah I’ve just got a lot to deal with, but you know I make it work, I make it work… Somehow. [Laughs]
TD: You mentioned a bit about awards now, I just want to quickly mention the NME awards. What went down there bro?
KSI: I love Slowthai man, he’s a sick artist, I like his vibe, but uh, yeah, he kind of just went over the top there. I was just there like fuck is happening? like this is, this is mad, is this about to happen?
I knew the NME awards were, you know, rebellious and all that but I was like, my man is throwing, throwing his cup of champagne at someone in the crowd like, is this rock and roll this year, I was like, “What is going on?”
And then he tried to fight, and I was just there like “fuck it, YOLO. Let’s dance.” I always try to find the silver lining in every cloud, every dark cloud
TD: Yeah, absolutely man. That comes from the name KSI itself. Knowledge, strength and integrity, am I correct?
KSI: Yes, yes.
TD: Yeah, so tell us about that name, those values and that mission, cause that shines through in your character in moments like that, when that pressure’s on. How do you navigate that and stay true to your values and your mission in the midst of so much going on?
KSI: Well, I mean it can be hard for sure. Like with the whole knowledge part, the boxing kind of fucks with that, obviously getting punched in the head doesn’t do too well with your knowledge.
I’m knowledgeable, when it comes to certain things, YouTube, when it comes to music, when it comes to boxing. Whenever I’m focused on something, I’m knowledgeable.
And you know strength, I’m a strong person mentally and physically. And I got to that position through hard work and testing my limits, constantly testing how far I can go. And that’s how I can tell I’m a strong person.
Integrity is making sure that no one disrespects me and no one tries to take away who I am. And you know, there’ve been many people that disrespect me in the past and I simply told them to go fuck themselves or I don’t fuck with them. Because that’s the thing, if someone disrespects me, it doesn’t end well for them. But you know, it’s their problem.
Check out ‘Down Like That’ by KSI:
TD: Yeah well they can get in the ring with you if they have a problem. We know how that has worked out for them in past.
KSI: I know certain people wouldn’t want to fucking go near the ring, because they know I would fuck them up for sure.
TD: What I like man, you talk about disrespect but at the same time you’re really willing to have a laugh at yourself, to have lighthearted moments, like the ‘Wake Up Call” video. How was that shoot?
KSI: Yeah, yeah so it was quite a funny shoot like I was talking with the director to make sure we got the idea right. Because I was like it would be funny if I was just pissed off at the whole shoot.
So obviously, a fake director and the real one, I was talking to the real one, I was like, “Let’s make sure everyone is on their own mission”, and I’m there trying to make sure it’s right and everyone else is doing it wrong, it would just be funny, chaos but there would be beauty in the chaos.”
And, yeah, I didn’t even know I was going to be wearing a yellow suit, so it was quite funny and I was like, “I look fucking ridiculous.”
Like even with the fat suit, we need to talk about the fight too, but you know I’ve never worn a fat suit ever in my life, it was quite interesting to see how that went down as well, so yeah, I was very happy with how it ended up. And I’m just excited to do more, man.
TD: What was it like selling out the O2?
KSI: Yeah, yeah, incredible. Oh my God, man, I was bringing out bare people, from P-Money to JME. It’s sick, very very sick. Whenever I do shows, man, it’s mad.
TD: We’re going to have to have you on some of those festival stages in Australia sometime soon man.
KSI: Oh bro, I am there! I am there! I know the whole coronavirus might fuck up a lot of things this year, but uh maybe next year!
After coronavirus, I’m fucking there bro! I’m fucking there.
TD: We’re keen to have you, we’ve seen the clips from the O2, it seems like you put a lot into the production of your shows.
KSI: I put my own money into it, I always want it to be an experience. I guess that’s how I give back to the people who have followed me throughout the years.
I’m always just spending money to make sure they experience, something that lives with them forever. So, even with my next shows it’s going to be bigger and better and with my album coming out this summer, it’s going to be ridiculous. Oh man, I can’t wait.
TD What can we expect man? You’ve already had strong features from Lil Baby, Trippie Redd. What can we expect on this album, man? There’s hype for it. What other features can you give us?
KSI: We got more, bro, so obviously there’s features. More features, I can’t say who.
TD: Of course.
KSI: But it’s going to blow a lot of people’s minds. Also, you know on the album I’m going to be showcasing the whole KSI side but also the JJ side, the more personal side that I don’t talk about a lot. Stuff that I don’t like talking about, a lot of personal things. I guess you’re going to see a lot of emotion, sad songs
It’s going to be different. I guess I’m slightly nervous to see people’s reactions to sadder things. But you know, it’s important. It’s important for it to be there. Hopefully, it will bring people closer to how I feel and how I am.
TD: You mention T-Money, guys like JME, guys that have obviously co-signed you, it seems that you’re really accepted amongst that UK hip-hop scene, from the OGs there. Does that give you the confidence to do that, to be more vulnerable and to experiment on your upcoming project, having those co-signs already and having that acceptance?
KSI: I mean, obviously they’ve fucked with me from early, man. It’s given me a lot of confidence. You know, P-Money was one of the OGs that’s been with me from time, man. He respected my grind and always had faith in me, same with JME.
These people fucked with me and obviously know I’m at a stage where I’m starting to get very big and obviously everyone is starting to realise but at the time to have their co-sign, it’s just amazing and I can’t thank them enough. I’m so excited for the future.
Check out ‘Wake Up Call’ by KSI:
