KSI recently hit the headlines again after being embroiled in a racism storm that has seen him take a social media break.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer said the word “p***” in a Sidemen video – the group he founded alongside six other creators.
GettyKSI has landed himself in hot water again after being embroiled in a racism storm[/caption]
GettyKSI and Logan Paul[/caption]
The British rapper, real name Olajide William Olatunji, made the slur during a video with his YouTube group, where they were playing a Countdown challenge.
From his selection of letters, KSI caused outrage by creating a four-letter derogatory word for people of South Asian origin.
The video has been taken down and he issued an apology for an offence he may have caused.
Fans criticised the 29-year-old despite his apology, claiming he should have known better.
But this isn’t the first time the popular YouTuber has found himself in hot water.
KSI is no stranger to controversy, having courted headlines for a number of wrong reasons over the years.
‘Rape jokes’
KSI was also accused of trivialising rape by making what was referred to as “rape faces” in a series of his online videos.
The videos show the star in a variety of settings, turning to camera with a menacing expression and making sexually suggestive gestures.
Many said pulling his “rape face”, which would regularly appear in his videos, trivialised sexual assault.
He has since apologised for his past content in 2020 after backlash from women’s charities and social media users.
Sexist behaviour
KSI sparked controversy in 2012 when he asked women at Eurogamer Expo what STIs they have.
He asked one woman what was her “favourite STI”, to which she reluctantly replied “chlamydia”.
KSI then asked her: “Is that because you have it?”
Another part of the clip saw him quiz a woman about the size of her breasts at the gaming conference, stating: “I can’t see them?”
That video has seen been removed from YouTube, with KSI later expressing his regret over the incident.
He said: “I’m in shock. I can’t believe I was like that. People enjoyed that video?!
“I can see now why I got into a lot of trouble. I was such a virgin back then.
“I think if I do anything remotely close to this again, I will change my whole outfit so I can show people that I’m a different character.”
He was banned for life from Eurogamer Expo events.
Microsoft axing
In 2013, Microsoft severed all ties with KSI after the company was criticised for employing him to promote the launch of Xbox One.
KSI had performed a song with three other artists but Microsoft faced backlash from fans.
Widespread anger and concern over his involvement saw Microsoft vow not to work with him again at any point.
Offensive remarks
In another YouTube video, uploaded in August 2014, KSI asks a Page 3 model about her sex life, while repeatedly calling her a slut in the voiceover.
He has also since apologised for his behaviour with a spokesman saying he had made a “mistake as a teenager”.
While in 2021, KSI issued an apology after being accused of being transphobic something he strongly denied.
Suicide controversy
In 2018, KSI released a new diss track music video with a Logan Paul look-alike ahead of their boxing fight.
The video was made in reference to Logan’s scandalous Suicide Forest footage which landed his fellow YouTuber in very hot water.
Despite how controversial that video was for his Prime drink partner – who was then a rival – KSI decided to make light of the situation.
KSI’s representatives have been contacted for comment.