Uncontrollable

"Uncontrollable" is a song by British YouTuber and rapper KSI. The song features a guest appearance from British rapper Big Zuu. It was independently released for digital download and streaming on 2 February 2018 in the build up to KSI's impending amateur boxing match against British YouTuber Joe Weller. The song was used as KSI's entrance music for the boxing match, held on 3 February 2018 at the Copper Box Arena in London, which KSI went on to win via technical knockout in the third round. The music video was released on 31 January 2018. The black and white video places the two rappers in the gritty underground scene of the boxing world.

This article is about the KSI song. For a definition of the term "uncontrollable", see the Wiktionary entry uncontrollable.

"Uncontrollable"
Single by KSI featuring Big Zuu
Released	2 February 2018 (2018-02-02)
Genre	British hip hop grime
Length	4:19
Label	RBC BMG[upper-alpha 1]
Songwriter(s)	Olajide Olatunji Zuhair Hassan Zeeshan Azad
Producer(s)	Zeeshan
KSI singles chronology
"Creature" (2017) "Uncontrollable" (2018) "Slow Motion" (2018)
Big Zuu singles chronology
"Blatant Truth" (2018) "Uncontrollable" (2018) "B.I.G" (2018)
Music video
"Uncontrollable" on YouTube

Background

In August 2017, it was announced that KSI would fight against British YouTuber Joe Weller in an amateur boxing match, dubbed KSI vs. Joe Weller, to be held on 3 February 2018 at the Copper Box Arena in London, England. The pair held a press conference to promote the fight on 9 September 2017.^[2]

Release and promotion

On 31 January 2018, the song's title, featured artist, cover art and release date were revealed and the song was made available to pre-order on digital download services and pre-save on streaming services.^[3] "Uncontrollable" was independently released for digital download and streaming on 2 February 2018.^[4] The day after its release, on 3 February 2018, "Uncontrollable" was used as KSI's entrance music for his boxing match against Weller, which KSI went on to win via technical knockout in the third round.^[5][6] KSI and Big Zuu will perform "Uncontrollable" during The KSI Show on 17 July 2021.^[7][8]

The KSI song really propelled me into a different light. My fanbase proper grew because he gave me a chance. His fight [against Joe Weller] was the biggest white collar boxing fight of all time and my song with him is [his] walk out music [for the fight]. So I've got a song that's the walk out music to the biggest white collar fight in history... And it helped me [because] I had a platform to show everyone what I'm on.

— Big Zuu speaking on collaborating with KSI.^[9]

Critical reception

Jon Powell of Respect called "Uncontrollable" a "hard-hitting cut". Nic Coaker of GRM Daily commented, "Whilst KSI has been building up a following from urban music fans over the past few years with his efforts of a rapping career, bringing Big Zuu onto a track is definitely going to have some of the grime fans in favour of him."^[10]

Music video

The music video for "Uncontrollable" was directed by Rvbberduck.^[11] It was released to KSI's YouTube channel two days before the release of the song on 31 January 2018.^[12][13] It has received over 30 million views.^[12] The video is shot in black and white and it places KSI and Big Zuu in the gritty underground scene of the boxing world.^[11] In the music video, KSI publicly reveals his body transformation for his boxing match against Weller for the first time.^[14] KSI alluded to this on 25 January 2018, tweeting, "January 31st is gonna be the day a lot of people will know this ain't no joke."^[15] Nic Coaker of GRM Daily called the music video "energetic".^[10]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[16]

• KSI – songwriting, vocals
• Big Zuu – songwriting, vocals
• Zeeshan – production, songwriting
• Charlie Cook – engineering

Charts

Chart performance for "Uncontrollable"

Chart (2018)	Peak position
Scotland (OCC)[17]	85
UK Singles (OCC)[18]	89
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[19]	65
UK Indie (OCC)[20]	11

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Uncontrollable"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
Various	2 February 2018	Digital download streaming	Self-released	[4]

Notes

1. "Uncontrollable" has been licensed to RBC Records and BMG, since October 2019 after KSI signed with the record label.^[1]

References

1. Paine, Andre (5 November 2019). "Artist and YouTube personality KSI signs with BMG". Music Week. Archived from the original on 12 November 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
2. "KSI VS JOE WELLER PRESS CONFERENCE FULL LIVESTREAM". 10 September 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017 – via YouTube.
3. Big Zuu [@ItsBigZuu] (31 January 2018). "Go pre order the single 'Uncontrollable' by @KSIOlajidebt featuring myself on the iTunes store (OUT 2ND FEB)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2018 – via Twitter.
4. KSI (2 February 2018). "Uncontrollable ft @itsbigzuu out on iTunes, Spotify and everywhere else. Artwork made by @itsmagichere". Retrieved 2 February 2018 – via Instagram.
5. O'Dell, Liam (3 February 2018). "KSI Wins Boxing Match Against Joe Weller". TenEighty. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
6. Kelly, Emma (3 February 2018). "KSI wins clash against Joe Weller in the third round". Metro. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
7. KSI [@KSI] (10 July 2021). "Next up to be announced for The KSI Show @ItsBigZuu and @NathanDawe tickets at http://momenthouse.com/ksi ONE WEEK COUNTDOWN IS ON!!!! #TheKSIshow" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021 – via Twitter.
8. KSI (10 July 2021). "Next up to be announced for The KSI Show @itsbigzuu and @nathandawe 🙌🏿 ONE WEEK COUNTDOWN IS ON!!!! #TheKSIshow @lee_malone_photography". Retrieved 10 July 2021 – via Instagram.
9. "Big Zuu Interview: KSI Collab, His Come Up, Being A Youth Worker and Music career Transition". 11 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018 – via YouTube.
10. Coaker, Nic (31 January 2018). "KSI enlists Big Zuu for new track 'Uncontrollable'". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
11. "UNCONTROLLABLE - KSI ft Big Zuu". After Party Studios. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
12. "KSI - UNCONTROLLABLE ft Big Zuu". 31 January 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018 – via YouTube.
13. BIg Zuu [@ItsBigZuu] (31 January 2018). "KSI - Uncontrollable Ft Big Zuu OUT NOW!!! https://youtu.be/g8wgc4jfQXY" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2018 – via Twitter.
14. "KSI wears KING in Uncontrollable video". KING. 31 January 2018. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
15. KSI [@KSI] (25 January 2018). "January 31st is gonna be the day a lot of people will know this ain't no joke" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2018 – via Twitter.
16. "KSI / Uncontrollable (feat. Big Zuu) / Credits". Tidal. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
17. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
19. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
20. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2018.