The Sidemen are a British YouTube entertainment group consisting of seven members: JJ Olatunji (KSI), Simon Minter (Miniminter), Josh Bradley (Zerkaa), Tobi Brown (TBJZL), Ethan Payne (Behzinga), Vikram Barn (Vikkstar123), and Harry Lewis (W2S). Formed in October 2013, the group has become one of the most successful content collectives in digital media history, amassing over 140 million combined subscribers across their individual and group channels.
The Sidemen formed on October 19, 2013, initially as a group of friends who connected through the FIFA gaming community on YouTube. The original members met while creating gaming content, primarily focused on FIFA Ultimate Team and football-related videos.
Name Origin
The name "Sidemen" originated as a self-deprecating joke. In football terminology, a "side-man" refers to a substitute or less prominent player. The group initially considered themselves secondary to the more established YouTube gaming creators of the era, though they would eventually surpass many of their contemporaries in popularity.
Evolution of Content
What began as gaming videos evolved into high-production entertainment content. The group's breakthrough came with collaborative challenges and the introduction of "Sidemen Sundays"—weekly videos featuring all seven members in elaborate competitions, challenges, and comedic sketches.
Business Empire Growth
By 2016, the Sidemen had established themselves as more than content creators, launching business ventures including clothing lines, alcohol brands, and restaurant chains. Their annual Charity Football Match, beginning in 2016, would become one of the largest creator-led charitable events globally.
Members
The Sidemen consist of seven core members, each maintaining successful individual YouTube channels alongside their group content.
The most prominent member, KSI has expanded beyond YouTube into professional boxing, music (reaching number one on the UK charts), and acting. His boxing matches against Logan Paul drew massive pay-per-view audiences and helped legitimize influencer boxing as an entertainment category. With 24M+ subscribers, he's built a business empire including PRIME Hydration.
Known for his consistency and chemistry with the group, Miniminter maintains one of the most regularly updated channels with daily uploads since 2013. His content spans FIFA gameplay, real-life football challenges, and vlogs documenting his life and relationship with fellow creator Talia Mar.
Often called the "dad" of the group due to his mature demeanor, Zerkaa has found significant success in GTA RP (Grand Theft Auto roleplay) content. He also co-hosts the popular "What's Good" podcast with Miniminter and is the unofficial leader of the Sidemen.
Known for his positive energy and athletic abilities, TBJZL frequently excels in physical challenges. His channel features FIFA content, lifestyle vlogs, and collaborations with other creators. His infectious laugh and genuine personality have made him a fan favorite.
Behzinga's documented fitness transformation (20kg+ weight loss) and mental health advocacy have made him an inspiration to many viewers. His content emphasizes authenticity and personal growth alongside entertainment, with partnerships with mental health charities.
A versatile gamer known for Minecraft content and Call of Duty: Warzone expertise, Vikkstar has transitioned into successful entrepreneurship with a business portfolio exceeding £15 million. He co-owns the esports organization Luminosity Gaming and has competed professionally in battle royale tournaments.
Known for his chaotic energy and unpredictable content, W2S has built a massive following (16.7M+ subscribers - the second-most subscribed Sidemen) through FIFA pack openings and rage compilations. His high-energy style contrasts with the more measured approaches of other members.
Content and Series
Sidemen Sundays
The flagship content series, Sidemen Sundays, features weekly collaborative videos released every Sunday on the main Sidemen channel. These high-production videos regularly achieve 10-20 million views and include formats such as:
$10,000 vs $100 Challenges: Comparing luxury and budget experiences (holidays, meals, hotels, gifts)
Hide and Seek: Elaborate hide and seek games in massive locations including stadiums, mansions, and cities
Among Us in Real Life: Physical recreations of popular video games
Tinder IRL: Dating show formats with celebrity guests
Total Wipeout: Physical challenge competitions
Pro vs Amateur: Testing skills against professionals in various fields
MoreSidemen
The MoreSidemen secondary channel features behind-the-scenes content, podcasts, Reddit reactions, and additional videos. With over 8 million subscribers, it serves as a more casual, unfiltered look at the group dynamic.
Sidemen Reacts
A reaction channel where members provide commentary on viral videos, internet trends, and fan-submitted content. This format requires lower production resources while maintaining audience engagement between main channel uploads.
Sidemen Charity Football Match
Since 2016, the Sidemen have hosted an annual Charity Football Match, which has become one of the largest creator-led charitable events globally. The matches pit the Sidemen and their friends against teams of other YouTube creators, celebrities, and professional footballers.
Impact and Reach
Funds Raised
Over £10 million for various charities
Venues
London Stadium, The Valley, St Mary's Stadium
Attendance
Sold-out crowds of 20,000-60,000
Broadcast
Millions of live viewers on YouTube
Notable Participants
The charity matches have featured appearances from professional footballers, musicians, actors, and fellow content creators. Previous events have included players such as Yousef Erakat (FouseyTube), Logan Paul, and various British football personalities.
Business Ventures
The Sidemen have diversified beyond content creation into multiple business verticals, demonstrating sophisticated understanding of brand monetization.
Sides Restaurant
Sides is the Sidemen's fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in fried chicken and sides. Launched in 2021, the chain has expanded to multiple locations across the UK. The concept focuses on delivery-friendly menu items that align with the group's brand identity.
XIX Vodka
Named after the group's founding date (19th October, or XIX in Roman numerals), XIX Vodka is a premium vodka brand launched in 2022. The product has achieved significant commercial success in the UK spirits market, competing with established brands through direct-to-consumer marketing and the Sidemen's substantial promotional reach.
Sidemen Clothing
The official merchandise line, Sidemen Clothing, sells apparel, accessories, and collectibles. Limited-edition drops frequently sell out within hours, demonstrating exceptional brand loyalty among their fanbase.
Best (Restaurant)
The Sidemen also operate Best, a fine-dining restaurant concept in London that has received positive reviews for its elevated take on comfort food.
Cultural Impact
YouTube Pioneer Status
The Sidemen represent a generation of YouTube creators who transitioned gaming content into mainstream entertainment. Their success helped legitimize YouTube as a viable career path and demonstrated the platform's potential for group collaboration.
Influence on Creator Economy
The group's business model—combining content creation with direct-to-consumer brands—has been widely emulated. Their approach to merchandise, alcohol brands, and hospitality ventures serves as a blueprint for creator-led entrepreneurship.
UK Youth Culture
The Sidemen have become fixtures of British youth culture, with their catchphrases, inside jokes, and cultural references permeating social media discourse among younger demographics. Their charity work and mental health advocacy have also contributed positively to public conversations.
Controversies
Early Content and Evolution
Like many creators who began their careers in the early 2010s, some Sidemen members faced criticism for content from their early YouTube careers that would be considered inappropriate by contemporary standards. The group has generally acknowledged this evolution and expressed regret for past content.
KSI Boxing Controversies
KSI's boxing career, while commercially successful, has generated criticism regarding the quality of opposition, event pricing, and the broader trend of influencer boxing. However, these events have undeniably drawn massive audiences and generated substantial revenue.
Business Disputes
The departure of former collaborator and editor Stephen Tries from associated projects generated public discussion about creator business relationships. The Sidemen have generally maintained privacy regarding internal business matters.