KSI vows to be a "complete artist" as he switches up his music 🙌
He released 'Holiday' earlier this month
Rapper, Singer, Youtuber and Boxer KSI is a multi-talented entertainer and doesn’t look to be stopping any time soon as he releases brand-new single 'Holiday'.
The 28-year-old has had a busy few months, dominating the charts with smash hit ‘Don’t Play’ alongside Anne-Marie and Digital Farm Animals, featuring on ‘Lighter’ with Nathan Dawe and finishing his forthcoming album ‘All Over The Place’, set for release in July. All whilst continuing to train for his next boxing match and making content for his YouTube channel.
Whilst many couldn’t handle the incredibly busy schedule, KSI has admitted he thrives off his full diary.
He told Jordan Lee: “My management said, ‘Are you sure you’re ok? There is a lot going on, we want to make sure you’re sane and not going mental.’ I’m all good, I’m able to at least train in between and that’s definitely helped me mentally.”
He added: “There’s never a dull moment, that’s why it is always exciting, fun and new. With training, I’m always excited, I get to punch a few things here and there. When it comes to music, I can do a bit of singing, do a bit of rapping, making music. With YouTube, I get to be stupid and silly and have fun.”
KSI has been posting videos on YouTube since 2008 and has gone on to attract a combined total of over 36 million subscribers to his channels.
Whilst his previous releases may categorise KSI as a rapper or garage artist, his new track’s sound is far from that. On his new single ‘Holiday’, the fourth offering from his forthcoming second album, KSI has proved he is a great vocalist too.
He said: “There’s no bars, it’s just singing, it’s a happy song! Obviously, we’ve all had the pandemic and gone through a lot, so I felt like this was the point in my life where things were starting to look positive. I think holidays might be happening, it felt brighter. I was in a way better space than I was during the whole lockdown stage, so the song kind of reflected that.”
KSI admitted that he is already prepared for the backlash of “cringe comments” from fans who may not be expecting this softer sound from him.
He added: “I’m expecting it. Let’s be honest, I try to be cool every now and then but at the end of the day, look where I started from. Look at my old videos – I was cringy! There’s that element in me that’s never going to go away.
“It’s scary to put it out there but that’s how I am. At the end of the day, if people like it that’s cool and if they don’t that’s cool. It doesn’t matter. I put out an album full of songs with elements of me, that’s why it’s called ‘All Over The Place’. I’m excited for people to hear it.”
KSI released his debut album ‘Dissimulation’ in May 2020 and went on to be the UK best-selling debut album by a British artist in 2020. He went on to be nominated for Best British Single at the 2021 BRIT Awards for his collaboration with DJ Nathan Dawe on ‘Lighter’.
KSI said he that he hoped fans could get on board with the forthcoming follow up album.
He said: “I’ve put a lot of effort into it and I’m proud of it. That’s the main thing. Why do we make music? Why do we make YouTube videos? To entertain and enjoy ourselves. I’m enjoying myself and entertaining people whilst doing it.
“I’m so blessed and happy to have this opportunity and I never take it for granted. I know how hard it is to get to this point. It has taken me over 10 years to get to this point, it’s not an overnight thing. It’s been me grinding and grafting to get to the level I’m at. I’m still going and still pushing and be experimental and not put myself in a box.”
The YouTuber, boxer and musician continued: “I’m trying to push to my audience that you can do whatever you want and able to make a living from it, so just have fun!”
You can hear KSI’s biggest hits on KISS.
Check out these other albums set for release in 2021:
The Weeknd - 'The Highlights'
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Sam Smith - 'Love Goes: Live at Abbey Road Studios'
'Love Goes: Live At Abbey Road Studios' is Sam Smith's third live album. Released in March 2021, it captures the singer's only live performance of 2020... For obvious reasons. Within the album fans can hear huge Sam Smith hits such as 'Dancing With a Stranger' and 'How Do You Sleep?'.
Drake - 'Scary Hours 2' (EP)
After announcing that his upcoming sixth studio album 'Certified Lover Boy' was to be delayed until later in 2021, fans were delighted when Drake dropped his fourth extended play 'Scary Hours 2' in March.
Drake then took the world by storm on 3rd September 2021, with the surprise drop of his sixth studio album 'Certified Lover Boy', which included huge tracks such as 'Girls Want Girls', 'Fair Trade' and 'Way 2 Sexy'.
Zara Larsson - 'Poster Girl'
Also in March, Zara Larsson released her epic third studio album 'Poster Girl'. The album was supported by the catchy tracks 'Love Me Land', 'Wow' and 'Talk About Love', as well as featuring the iconic 'Ruin My Life'.
Nick Jonas - 'Spaceman'
Despite the ULTIMATE Jonas Brothers reunion that really helped kick 2019 to a good start, Nick Jonas has still managed to continue a successful solo career, with March 2021 welcoming his fourth studio album 'Spaceman'. The album, which was his first solo release since the epic reunion of the bro-band, was a certified hit, cruising to the Number 12 spot on the US Billboard 200.
Selena Gomez - 'Revelación' (EP)
This one was truly music to our ears (quite literally) upon its release in March, with 'Revelación' being Selena's first ever release to be predominantly sung in Spanish! Preceding singles 'De Una Vez' and 'Baila Conmigo' topped the US Latin Charts, giving us a taste of the stunning vocals yet to come.
Justin Bieber - 'Justice'
Justin's March release of 'Justice', his sixth studio album, was hugely anticipated by fans, despite getting their fix of the star just one year prior, with his 2020 release 'Changes'. The huge drop, preceded by hit singles 'Holy', 'Lonely' and 'Hold On' and featuring other huge names such as Khalid, Chance the Rapper and Quavo, flew to the Number 2 spot in the UK Albums Chart.
Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha's second studio album, 'Better Mistakes', was released on 7th May, featuring the catchy bops 'Baby, I'm Jealous' featuring Doja Cat and 'Sacrifice'!
Rag’n’Bone Man - ‘Life by Misadventure’
Rag'n'Bone Man wasn't shy when it came to amping up the excitement for his second studio album, 'Life by Misadventure'. After dropping his huge collab with Pink, 'Anywhere Away From Here', in April, fans couldn't wait to hear what the 'Human' singer had in store when he released the album on 7th May.
BTS
K-Pop hitmakers BTS delighted fans when they announced the release of their sixth compilation album 'BTS, the Best', and it was released on 16th June 2021!
Doja Cat - 'Planet Her'
Released on 25th June, Doja Cat's third studio album 'Planet Her' got fans VERY excited. As we all know, the 'Say So' singer has worked with some pretty huge names in the past (we're looking at you, Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion), and the 'Planet Her' tracklist proves she's keeping it that way!
Anne Marie
After announcing that her second album was on its way back in January 2020, fans were very keen to hear what Anne-Marie had in store for us all next. Despite the release being put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, 'Therapy' was finally released on Friday 23rd July 2021.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish's second album 'Happier Than Ever' was released on 30th July, containing 16 tracks, which preceded singles 'Therefore I Am', 'Lost Cause' and 'NDA'. Adding the icing on top of the cake, the singer also announced that she will be taking the album on tour in 2022.
Lil Nas X
It's official, Lil Nas X's debut album 'MONTERO' has arrived! Landing on 17th September, it's safe to say that this one was welcomed by fans with open arms, given the huge success of his past hits such as 'Old Town Road', 'Panini' and his single 'MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)'.
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran took to his Instagram earlier this year to inform his fans: 'I'll be back online with the 4th instalment in the series later this year'.
Ed later released his single 'Bad Habits' on 25th June, soon after announcing that his new album will be called '=' ('Equals') and it was released on 29th October 2021! He even officially announced that he will be heading on a huge stadium tour in 2022. Good to have you back, Ed...
Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett
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The album was released on 30th September 2021, and fans absolutely love it!
James Arthur
James revealed that he spent lockdown channelling his creativity for a new music chapter. The 'Say You Won't Let Go' singer told Guilty Pleasures that he has "finished the album", after writing around 60 songs. He released his first single, 'Medicine', from the album in March.
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Mabel
In April 2021, Mabel released her five-track EP 'Magic', containing HUGE hits such as 'Don't Call Me Up' and 'Finders Keepers'.
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Read more:
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KSI drops new single 'Holiday' and it is a summer ANTHEM