MUSIC ARTIST, YOUTUBER, AND BOXER KSI STRIKES GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH BMG
International music artist, YouTube personality, and social media influencer KSI has signed a global recordings and publishing partnership with RBC Records/BMG.
KSI (Knowledge, Strength, Integrity) is the professional name of Olajide “JJ” Olatunji, the London, England-born phenomenon who has become one of the top ranked and most successful YouTubers in the world. KSI’s two channels alone host over 28 million subscribers, accumulating a combined six billion-plus views.
KSI and music manager Mams Taylor, President of Premier League Entertainment, have partnered with BMG to further develop his burgeoning music career in the US and internationally, as both an artist and songwriter. An established artist in the UK, with three UK Number One releases to his credit, KSI is currently putting the finishing touches on his upcoming new singles, videos and full-length album. In addition to the upcoming new releases, BMG will be both administering and reissuing his catalog recordings.
In 2015, KSI’s debut EP Keep Up debuted at Number One UK R&B Albums and number 13 UK Albums charts. The following year, he released his second EP Jump Around, featuring the singles ‘Goes Off’ ft. Mista Silva, ‘Friends with Benefits’ ft. MNDM, and the title track featuring Waka Flocka Flame. His third EP Space, released in 2017, was followed closely by a fourth EP Disstracktions, which would go on to chart at Number One UK R&B Albums and number 31 UK Albums charts. Earlier this year, KSI released the collaborative album New Age with Randolph, featuring guest appearances from British singer Talia Mar, grime MC Jme and rapper Quadeca. The full-length set would go on to debut at Number One UK R&B Albums and number 17 UK Albums charts.
In addition to his burgeoning music career, KSI has developed as an avid amateur boxer and will officially turn pro on November 9 in his first professionally licensed, headlining fight card at Staples Center in Los Angeles (streaming live on DAZN). The fight pits the reigning YouTube Boxing Championship titleholder in a highly-anticipated, widely publicized rematch against fellow YouTuber Logan Paul, following their first bout in 2018 that ended in majority draw.
Said KSI, “I love that BMG stand for fairness and transparency. That’s one of the things that appealed to me most about them. I am excited to take my music to the next level with them because they see my vision and believe in me.”
Said Taylor, “KSI has a uniquely incredible work ethic and underdog mentality. He manifests whatever he sets his mind to. As a human being he is consistently the nicest guy and for me it just makes the wins taste even sweeter when you work with someone you have love for. I also love how quickly BMG grasped that this guy is a winner. We are really happy to have them in our corner. They are open to out the box ideas and are both creative and innovative. I couldn’t ask for a better home for KSI’s music to flourish or a better team to support his growth as an artist.”
Brian Shafton, SVP Recorded Music, BMG, said, “KSI’s passion is music and as an artist he achieves everything he sets his mind to. He is a global artist with global appeal and together with BMG’s global network he’s now able to find new listeners and get his music heard by his millions of fans around the world.”
Thomas Scherer, EVP Repertoire & Marketing, BMG Los Angeles, said, “This is an exciting new innovative partnership that allows us to expand, diversify, and amplify KSI’s brand marketing and monetization across all platforms. Through our resources and infrastructure, we’re leveraging everything he has accomplished to elevate his career to a whole new level.”
