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SidemenWar2017DesignByDUW

Representation of the Sidemen War
(Designed by DarkUnknownWarrior)

The 2017 Sidemen War, also known as the Sidemen Beef or Diss Track season, was a series of events resulting from KSI "leaving" the Sidemen group. It involved the six other members and Deji, as well as many other YouTubers and online influencers.

Background

The online drama began on August 3, 2017 and concluded around a month and a half later. The "war" is split into many different dramas: the original dispute between Ethan and JJ, the feud between Deji and Simon, the unexpected conflict between Harry and JJ, as well as details of how the other members of the Sidemen fit into the events.

It started shortly after Joe Weller/KSI Twitter drama (resulting in the two of them planning a boxing match against each other and "fighting" onstage at the 2017 Upload event), and this was mentioned in one of Harry's diss tracks and also incorporated into one of KSI's later diss tracks.

The events of the drama also led to the NetNobody/KSI feud.

KSI and Behzinga

(3 August - 19 August)

On 3 August 2017, KSI made a series of tweets announcing his disengagement with the Sidemen. Following this, he uploaded a short YouTube video on August 6, 2017 confirming his decision to leave the group. He claimed that the reason he was leaving was primarily due to Ethan, stating he "can't stand him". JJ ended the video with a segment of him "rapping" which included disses against the Sidemen, in particular Ethan.[1]

The same day (August 6), Ethan uploaded a video titled "REPLACING KSI IN THE SIDEMEN HOUSE". In the video, Ethan joked that he was taking JJ's place in the Sidemen House, and proceeded to mess with JJ's room. The following day, Ethan uploaded a full length "diss track" targeting JJ regarding their current drama, simply titled "Drama".[2][3]

On August 9, KSI uploaded a video of his reaction to the aforementioned diss track created by Ethan. He confirmed he was working on his own diss track.[4] The track titled "Earthquake" was uploaded on 12 August to KSI's main channel, and featured American YouTuber RiceGum.[5] Ethan posted his own reaction video to the song less than 24 hours later.[6]

Aside from a few quips, not a lot happened between Ethan and KSI for the following week - though Ethan confirmed he was working on a response to JJ's track "Earthquake". On August 18, he uploaded "Finished" and announced it'd be the last diss track he'd create.[7] KSI uploaded a reaction video the following day (19 August) and said he was still deliberating whether or not to respond.[8]

Ethan later stated in a vlog that his relationship with JJ can still be rebuilt and the diss tracks were just banter. It is believed that, with KSI not making another diss track on Ethan, this part of the drama had concluded. KSI uploaded a video on August 28 called "CONFRONTING BEHZINGA" showing that the two of them were very clearly still friends and that the drama was mainly just a joke.[9]

Deji and Miniminter

(5 August - 20 August)

Comdeywar

On August 5, Deji "jokingly" announced that he wanted to join the Sidemen. Simon called him out on Twitter, saying they didn't want him and that Deji should join Team 10 instead. Deji and Simon continued to dispute on Twitter, arguing primarily about JJ. Deji responded with tweets about how awful the Sidemen are and how "they're on life support".

Deji uploaded a diss track targeting the entirety of the Sidemen group (despite only having beef with Simon via Twitter) on August 11. He "dissed" all five remaining members of the group.[10] Simon uploaded a video reacting to the track along with Vik, Josh and Ethan the same day.[11]

On August 12, Simon uploaded his diss track in response to Deji's titled "KSI'S LITTLE BROTHER - DEJI DISS TRACK".[12] Deji subsequently uploaded his reaction to the track on August 13.[13]

On August 20, Deji uploaded a second diss track directed at Miniminter, titled "Ungrateful".[14]

This track once again brought about accusations of drug use which Simon denied in his reaction. Despite criticizing the track due to its "weak bars" and false information, Simon said he would not respond to any more diss tracks.[15] In a video on September 3, in which Deji and KSI reacted to diss tracks, Deji explained that "Ungrateful" was actually targeted at both Simon and Harry, and that the drug accusations were directed towards him, not Simon.[16]

KSI and W2S

(8 August - 24 August)

Taking place concurrently to the drama between Deji and Simon, Harry uploaded a three minute long diss track on August 8 titled "KSI Sucks". The video has over 64 million views and was considered by the audience to be one of the best tracks. Harry predominantly targeted JJ and his family in the song.[17]

On August 9, RiceGum uploaded his reaction to Harry's diss track and was confused that Harry only mentioned him once throughout the song (as well as it being a compliment) despite his name being featured in the title. RiceGum also reacted to other diss tracks against him and complained about their hostility.[18]

On August 10, KSI uploaded his reaction to Harry's diss track.[19] A few hours later, Harry uploaded a video recapping the events that had taken place so far (and discussing RiceGum's video), titled "W2S - KSI ROASTS MY SISTER". This featured Harry's "second verse", although wasn't a full length diss track. It didn't receive as much hate as his original song and Harry explained his reasons for being so brutal.[20]

On August 13 - after uploading "Earthquake" aimed at Ethan, KSI uploaded a diss track titled "Little Boy" aimed at Harry as a response to "KSI Sucks". The video has over 61 million views. It included a lot of "controversial" lines relating to drug use which many of the Sidemen claimed was when the drama started turning serious.[21]

The following day, Harry uploaded a video with his mum reacting to "Little Boy". In the video, Harry promised he'd post his response within "72 hours".[22]. The day after that (15 August), KSI reacted to Harry's reaction video - within his own video titled "I'm Getting Deported".[23]

On August 19, Harry's second diss track called "KSI Exposed" was uploaded.[24] The video is now unlisted. KSI did not react to this track as he did with the others, and later revealed that he got so mad at Harry that he could not upload his reaction.

On August 24, KSI uploaded a diss track titled "Two Birds One Stone". It was targeted towards both W2S and Joe Weller, and was the final diss track in the W2S and KSI drama. He responded to the accusations from Harry's diss track and summed up the situation between himself and Joe Weller.[25] Harry reacted to this track on the same day and provided no evidence that he would respond again.[26]

It is believed that while the diss tracks between others in the group were made jokingly, the conflict between Harry and JJ escalated much more than originally intended. It did, however, conclude after JJ stated he would not make any more diss tracks against Harry in his final track/

Involvement of Vikkstar123 and TBJZL

(11 August - 15 August)

TBJZL vowed from the beginning that he wouldn't get involved in the drama. He instead launched "Team SKRRR" (implying that they avoid any involvement in any drama). Deji nonetheless insulted Tobi during his own diss track, yet Tobi let it go.

On 15 August, Vikkstar123 dropped his own diss track against Deji - something Deji said would never happen - called "THE END". The song was so fire, many people have said there was no coming back from it and that the war is over. Even KSI reacted to it and admitted that Deji couldn't come back from it. Nevertheless, Deji "reacted" to Vik's track, took it personally, got triggered and said he'd make a new track aimed solely at Vik. Vik said that he will not be making another one, as the first was just a joke.

Involvement of Caspar Lee

(19 August)

On 19 August, Caspar released his own parody diss track (which he called a "compliment track") on KSI, the Sidemen, Deji and Jake Paul named "STOP THE DISS TRACKS!!". Many people failed to see the sarcastic undertones in this track. Deji took his "compliment" sarcastically. Due to this not being a legitimate diss track and Caspar being a generally well-liked individual, nobody was expected to make a proper reply to this.

NetNobody and KSI

(20 August - 11 November)

On 20 August, SkyDoesMinecraft (real name Adam and now going by the name NetNobody) released his own diss track on KSI out of nowhere named "'Diss Track ED". On 25 August, after the main bulk of the Sidemen War had concluded, KSI reacted to Sky's track. In the video, KSI said that Sky first congratulated him for finally doing what he really feels and wants to do on YouTube. After KSI released his early diss tracks, Sky quickly started to "roast" KSI on Twitter claiming that JJ hasn't changed or "evolved" at all; until he released the aforementioned diss track. KSI said that he would be making a response diss track against Adam which would "ruin" him.

Adam stated in an interview with Keemstar in early September that he'd be dropping a second diss track immediately after JJ posted his response. On 4 September, JJ posted a video claiming he had gained access to - what he thought was - that very diss track. He reacted to Adam's "leaked" track alongside his brother in a video titled "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA". Most people thought the leak was legitimate and that Adam had indeed been ruined. Adam laughed and claimed on Twitter that the "leak" wasn't real and that he's actually made another.

SIDEMEN_BACK_TOGETHER?

SIDEMEN BACK TOGETHER?

This video shows all 7 Sidemen back together.

On 8 September, KSI uploaded "Adam's Apple" - his official diss track against NetNobody. This track featured Adam's ex-wife Alesa and exposed a lot of personal information. However, like he originally claimed, soon after JJ uploaded "Adam's Apple", NetNobody uploaded "Bend the Knee" - his second disstrack against KSI. In the video, he claims that he predicted/had knowledge of KSI's track and that the leak was part of a game he was playing.

On 11 November, DramaAlert uploaded a brand new video in which he said that if they both like his tweet, that they made up. Both of them liked his tweet, confirming that they don't have beef anymore.

Music Videos

VIDEO ARTIST(S) TITLE RELEASE DATE DURATION
Behzinga_-_Drama_(Official_Music_Video)

Behzinga - Drama (Official Music Video)

Behzinga

Drama 7 August 2017 1:51
W2S_-_KSI_Sucks_(RiceGum_&_KSI_Diss_Track)_Official_Video

W2S - KSI Sucks (RiceGum & KSI Diss Track) Official Video

W2S KSI Sucks 8 August 2017 3:05
Deji_-_Sidemen_Diss_Track_(Official_Music_Video)

Deji - Sidemen Diss Track (Official Music Video)

Deji Sidemen Diss Track 11 August 2017 3:09
KSI_ft_Ricegum_-_Earthquake_(Official_Music_Video)

KSI ft Ricegum - Earthquake (Official Music Video)

KSI ft. RiceGum Earthquake 12 August 2017 4:01
KSI'S_LITTLE_BROTHER_-_DEJI_DISS_TRACK_(OFFICIAL_MUSIC_VIDEO)

KSI'S LITTLE BROTHER - DEJI DISS TRACK (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

Miniminter KSI'S LITTLE BROTHER 2:34
KSI_-_Little_Boy_(Official_Music_Video)

KSI - Little Boy (Official Music Video)

KSI Little Boy 13 August 2017 2:10
THE_END_-_SIDEMEN_DISS_TRACK_REPLY_(Official_Music_Video)

THE END - SIDEMEN DISS TRACK REPLY (Official Music Video)

Vikkstar123 THE END 15 August 2017 1:50
Behzinga_-_Finished_(KSI_Diss_Track)

Behzinga - Finished (KSI Diss Track)

Behzinga Finished 18 August 2017 3:10
W2S_-_KSI_Exposed_(Official_Music_Video)_Diss_Track

W2S - KSI Exposed (Official Music Video) Diss Track

W2S KSI Exposed 19 August 2017 2:46
Jake_Paul,_KSI_&_The_Sidemen_-_STOP_THE_DISS_TRACKS!_Caspar_Lee_ft._Conor_Maynard

Jake Paul, KSI & The Sidemen - STOP THE DISS TRACKS! Caspar Lee ft. Conor Maynard

Caspar Lee ft Conor Maynard STOP THE DISS TRACKS! 2:31
Deji_-_Ungrateful_(Official_Music_Video)

Deji - Ungrateful (Official Music Video)

Deji Ungrateful 20 August 2017 1:42
NetNobody_"DISS_TRACK_ED"_-_KSI_Diss_Track_(Official_Music_Video)

NetNobody "DISS TRACK ED" - KSI Diss Track (Official Music Video)

NetNobody

DISS TRACK ED*

3:20
KSI_-_Two_Birds_One_Stone_(Official_Music_Video)

KSI - Two Birds One Stone (Official Music Video)

KSI Two Birds One Stone 24 August 2017 3:16
KSI_-_Adam's_Apple_ft_Alesa_(Official_Music_Video)

KSI - Adam's Apple ft Alesa (Official Music Video)

Adam's Apple 8 September 2017 2:46
NetNobody_"BEND_THE_KNEE"_-_KSI_Diss_Track_(Official_Music_Video)

NetNobody "BEND THE KNEE" - KSI Diss Track (Official Music Video)

NetNobody Bend the Knee 4:25

Lyric Breakdowns

Zerkaa had very little involvement in the diss tracks, aside from featuring in the odd reaction video and joking about the events in GTA V sessions. However, he uploaded numerous videos of "official lyric breakdowns" for the diss tracks. The videos follow the style of the lyric breakdown series by the site Genius.

VIDEO FEATURING LYRICS FROM RELEASE DATE
KSI'S_LITTLE_BROTHER_-_DEJI_DISS_TRACK_(Official_Lyric_Breakdown)

KSI'S LITTLE BROTHER - DEJI DISS TRACK (Official Lyric Breakdown)

Miniminter KSI'S LITTLE BROTHER 14 August 2017
THE_END_-_SIDEMEN_DISS_TRACK_REPLY_(Official_Lyric_Breakdown)

THE END - SIDEMEN DISS TRACK REPLY (Official Lyric Breakdown)

Vikkstar123 THE END 16 August 2017
KSI_-_Little_Boy_(Official_Lyric_Breakdown)

KSI - Little Boy (Official Lyric Breakdown)

KSI Little Boy 19 August 2017

Reaction Videos

Main article: Sidemen Beef Reaction Videos

Rumours

While the "beef" was occurring, there were theories that the drama was entirely fabricated and fake. Some speculated that KSI might not have even left the Sidemen House or the group itself, and was just staying in LA with RiceGum for a few weeks. Many speculated that the entire ordeal was a publicity stunt to boost the groups channel/views. Callux and Zerkaa later revealed that JJ didn't inform anybody or consult the rest of the Sidemen before announcing he was leaving the group - it is unknown if they were telling the truth.

In mid-August, KSI returned to the UK for "personal reasons". He was "ambushed" by Callux at the airport and it was evident that they were still on good terms. JJ later returned to the Sidemen House and met up with Vik, Josh and Simon on camera. There was clearly no bad blood between them and Simon adamantly stated that he has no problem with KSI. JJ later met up with Ethan and it was clear that they don't hate each other. Up to this point, JJ still stated that he had left the group however, a "fact" seemingly confirmed by everybody else. 

However, the feud between Deji and everybody else was still thought to be genuine. Deji is known to take offense easily and act like a child and definitely did not take Vik's diss track against him lightly - despite it clearly being a joke. Joe Weller piped up and "confirmed" that Deji is in fact a "pussy" and can't even go to fan meetups without his parents.

On 13 September 2017, KSI had an interview answering fan questions at the Upload event. One of the fans asked if the beef was real or fake and KSI replied that the drama between himself and Harry was indeed real and that they were on bad terms. However the two were show getting along once the Sidemen regrouped for a "secret event" in a video KSI uploaded.[27] The rivalry between Deji and the other Sidemen was also real, as was the NetNobody/KSI beef.

References

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