Dissimulation (KSI album)

On 4 November 2019, it was announced that KSI had signed with RBC Records, under BMG Rights Management, in order to "take his music to the next level" and "further develop his music career in the US and internationally".[4] On the same day, it was confirmed that KSI had started working on his debut album.[4] On 5 April 2020, KSI confirmed that recording for the album had been completed.[5]

Speaking to Metro about the album in February 2020, KSI "explained that the album is split into two halves". He said, "there's KSI and JJ, KSI’s what you see online, JJ’s a lot more personal. I kind of wanted to show both sides of that. The first half is definitely KSI, big bravado, I’m popping, I’m sick, I’m undefeated, I’m always winning, blah blah blah. And then halfway through there's "Wake Up Call", and that’s when it changes, as if I’ve woken up from what you see online and I realise it’s me and I show a bit more about my personal side – the things I don’t like talking too much about publicly. I do it through song, that’s a really good way for me to portray that part of me".[6]

Regarding the title of the album, KSI said, “I felt dissimulation – concealment of one’s thoughts or feelings – was the perfect name for the album. I conceal a lot when it comes to personal things in my life. I also wanted to try and portray the difference between KSI and JJ in my music”.[7]

Speaking about his aspirations for the album, KSI said, “I hope this album empowers people and allows them to believe in themselves and conquer any obstacle in their way, no matter the circumstances. I hope this will silence a lot of skeptics. I’ve been doing music for over 10 years and constantly show growth. Hopefully they see that too”.[7]

Kitty Empire of The Guardian highlighted that while KSI's previous releases were grime influenced and featured British rappers, Dissimulation has many American hip hop features. Empire continued that the only "London vibes" on the album are the afroswing song "Houdini" and the Caribbean influenced "Killa Killa".[8]

Metro noted that "KSI isn't afraid to shout about his success in the new album".[9] The album's opening song, “What You Been On”, has been called "a boastful track for those who have doubted the rapper to date", with Clash describing it as "a boastful track hitting out at the much-maligned internet personalities critics".[1][10] KSI told Music Week, ""What You Been On" is a braggadocious track to let people know that I am doing bits. I’m turning the question back on the haters and the people that were doubting me".[11] "Wake Up Call" is said to be "KSI’s message to the doubters that he is still here and proving people wrong", and "Cap" "addresses those that deceived him" and talks about "how he always bounces back".[1][10] “Killa Killa” is said to be "the track that shows how KSI is killing the game in more ways than one. When he puts his mind to something, he normally succeeds. This song is a reminder that he quickly evolved from YouTube sensation, to boxing champion, to a bonafide, respected artist".[1] "Domain” has been described as "a powerful track" that "proves he owns this hybrid space".[1] KSI told Music Week, ""Domain" is more of a YouTube song". He continued, "I wanted to make a song to show that I’m on a different level when it comes to wordplay".[11] “Undefeated” talks about how KSI "will remain triumphant, even as the underdog".[1]

On the other hand, "we see an intimate side of KSI for the first time in “Bad Lil Vibe”".[1] Metro said that "Millions" "sees KSI open up about his mental health, with some brutally emotional lyrics", and HITC said that the song "shows the darker side of show business, with the hook of the song explaining that despite his wealth, KSI still struggles with things".[9][12] The first verse of "Millions" is said to address KSI's relationship with his younger brother, Deji Olatunji, and "Complicated", from the deluxe edition of the album, also sees KSI "address his relationship with his family, including his strained relationship with his brother".[12][13] The second verse of "Millions" is said to be "about KSI's girlfriend", and “How It Feel” is said to be "dedicated to his long-term girlfriend, showing how much he appreciates her".[12][1]

The album's title was revealed by KSI on 17 April 2020 during his YouTube video titled "The Winner Of The Poppin Challenge Is".[14] The album's release date, artwork and track listing were revealed on 1 May 2020, and the album was made available for pre-order on the same day, accompanied by the release of a promotional trailer onto his YouTube channel titled "It's Here".[15][16][17][1][18][19]

KSI hosted an exclusive online album preview party on 20 May 2020, two days before the release of the album.[18]

27,472 album-equivalent units of Dissimulation were sold in the UK in its first week, out of which 6,340 came from digital downloads, 19,332 came from streaming-equivalent sales and 1,800 came from CDs that were released mid-week,[41] making the album both the most digitally downloaded and the most streamed album of the week in the UK.[42][43] The album debuted at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and topped the UK R&B Albums Chart.[44][45] With this album, KSI became the only artist, along with Dua Lipa, Lewis Capaldi, The Weeknd and Stormzy, to have three top 40 singles - "Houdini", "Cap" and "Killa Killa" - and a top 5 album simultaneously on the Official Charts in 2020.[46] Seven more tracks from the album were reported to debut between positions 38 and 53 on the UK Singles Chart, but were excluded from the published chart under OCC rules.[41] On 12 June 2020, Dissimulation received a Bronze certification from the British Phonographic Industry for exceeding sales of 30,000 units in the UK.[47]

Dissimulation charted in nine other European countries. The album topped the Irish Albums Chart[48] and debuted at number 3 on the Norwegian Albums Chart[49], number 9 on the Belgian Albums Chart[50], number 9 on the Danish Albums Chart[51], number 14 on the Dutch Albums Chart[52], number 15 on the Swedish Albums Chart[53], number 17 on the Finnish Albums Chart[54], number 38 on the Swiss Albums Chart[55] and number 47 on the Austrian Albums Chart.[56]

In Australasia, Dissimulation charted at number 4 on the Australian Albums Chart[57] and at number 3 on the New Zealand Albums Chart[58]. In North America, the album debuted at number 33 on the Billboard Canadian Albums Chart[59] and at number 149 on the Billboard 200[60], also topping the Billboard US Heatseekers Albums Chart.[61]

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Album of the Year	57/100[62]
Review scores
Source	Rating
Clash	7/10[10]
The Guardian	[8]
The News International	7/10[63]

Amar Mehta of Clash felt that while areas of Dissimulation are "lifted by the heavy weight features, some might be shocked by KSI’s ability on the mic". Mehta called the album a "credible rap record" and positively concluded that "for a first album and for someone who hasn’t yet made a mark on the music scene, Dissimulation is an excellent body of work".[10] Kitty Empire of The Guardian called Dissimulation a "pugnacious debut", and highlighted that KSI achieved making a genuine rap album, rather than a “YouTube rap” album.[8] Kathy Iffly of The News International said that KSI "does a good job at proving the naysayers wrong" and Dissimulation has "cemented him his place as a force to be reckoned with in the music world".[63] Luke Morgan Britton of NME described Dissimulation as "a disparate-sounding album that still somehow manages to make sense" and highlighted that "the growth on Dissimulation is plain to hear".[13] Jeremey Randrup of Inlander said "Dissimulation is an album that flexes KSI’s range as a musical artist" and is "proof that KSI has grown as an artist, adding much more depth to his lyrics as well as expertise in how he executes the different rap styles. His flow and cadence are much better, and he’s meshing nicely with all of the different artists that are featured".[64]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[65][66]

• List of 2020 albums
• 2020 in hip hop music
• List of UK top-ten albums in 2020
• List of UK R&B Albums Chart number ones of 2020
• List of UK Independent Albums Chart number ones of 2020
• List of UK Album Downloads Chart number ones of the 2020s
• List of Official Albums Streaming Chart number ones of 2020
• List of number-one albums of 2020 (Ireland)
• List of Irish Independent Albums Chart number ones of 2020