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 Northsound 1.
Check out these other albums set for release in 2021:
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Sam Smith - 'Love Goes: Live at Abbey Road Studios'
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Nick Jonas - 'Spaceman'
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Selena Gomez - 'Revelación' (EP)
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Justin Bieber - 'Justice'
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Bebe Rexha
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Rag’n’Bone Man - ‘Life by Misadventure’
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Doja Cat - 'Planet Her'
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Anne Marie
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Billie Eilish
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Ed Sheeran
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Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett
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James Arthur
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KSI drops new single 'Holiday' and it is a summer ANTHEM