All Over the Place (Platinum VIP Edition)

If there’s anything KSI can’t do, he’s either not interested, or is locked away in his bedroom thinking of a way to make it happen. “I’m all about trying things, just to see if I can do them,” KSI—real name Olajide Olayinka Williams “JJ” Olatunji—tells Apple Music. “I’m able to bounce around, and do all of these things—and maybe through that, I'll find out what my true sound is. Maybe I’ll find out there’s no sound.” KSI has given his fans/subscribers an access-all-areas pass to that journey. One of the UK’s foremost YouTubers and online personalities, he released his solo debut album Dissimulation in 2020, serving intimate, personal tracks alongside heavy-hitting anthems and larger features from standout names—and creating space for his digital and personal personas to coexist. “With this one, I'm starting to realise that I’m a really big deal,” he says. “I used to think that I had to be super serious to be a rapper. But, you know what? I can just be myself. And that's okay, because I started out doing just that. And I haven't looked back since.” In that spirit, All Over the Place is true to its title. We get a carousel of alt-pop (“Patience”), R&B balladry (“You”) and a surprisingly slick garage anthem that recruits childhood hero Craig David (“Really Love”), nestled up against potent rap, with appearances from Lil Durk, Bugzy Malone, 21 Savage and JAY1. There’s a similarly impressive band of production talent on board (S-X, Digital Farm Animals, Ayo Beatz, M1 On The Beat, Toddla T), but the Londoner insists the album executes his very individual vision. “I don't need other people, I just do things by myself,” he says. “I’ve always been a bit of a loner when it comes to working. Especially on my own albums. So during the whole pandemic and lockdown situation, I was there like, 'OK—this is my realm now.'” Here he breaks down his second album, track by track. “The Moment” “After Dissimulation, I was just focused on improving. My verses, writing, singing, I wanted