Thick of It Lyrics by KSI feat. Trippie Redd – Full Song

Few songs in recent memory have sparked as much online debate as KSI’s “Thick of It.” Released on October 3, 2024, the track featuring Trippie Redd hit number 6 on the UK Singles Chart while simultaneously drawing heavy criticism across social media. The backlash grew so loud that KSI himself posted a video calling out the hate. Beyond the music, rumors swirled — including speculation about Billie Eilish’s involvement that turned out to be false. This article breaks down what the song actually says, why people reacted so strongly, and what the collaborators have said about it.

Artist: KSI feat. Trippie Redd ·
Primary Sources: Genius, AZLyrics ·
Key Controversy: Billie Eilish vocal rumor ·
UK Chart Peak: #6 ·
Brit Awards Nomination: Song of the Year 2025

The table below consolidates verified data from Wikipedia and other primary sources.

What did Trippie Redd say about Thick of It?

Trippie Redd’s involvement in “Thick of It” marks the second collaboration with KSI, following their earlier track “Wake Up Call” in 2020. According to Songfacts (music reference publication), Trippie Redd described the track’s vibe as channeling the era of artists like Juice WRLD and XXXTENTACION. He told Official Charts that “the vibe definitely recalls that 2016/2017 era; the music me, Juice WRLD and XXXTENTACION were doing already… It’s fire, that s–t was hard.”

Trippie Redd’s comments

Beyond the music press interview, Trippie Redd took to social media with a more humorous take. A YouTube video review notes he joked he was “held hostage” to record his verse, posting on X that “KSI won’t let me go please free me.” The quip became one of the more widely shared reactions to the song.

Context of collaboration

The timing of “Thick of It” coincided with KSI’s broader public controversies, particularly the Lunchly feud with DanTDM over the product KSI co-founded with MrBeast and Logan Paul. The song was widely interpreted as KSI’s response to mounting criticism, with some observers viewing it as an attempted rebuttal. Songfacts reports KSI described the track as covering “my life, what’s going on, where I’m at and where I want to go.”

The implication: the track functioned as both artistic statement and public defense mechanism, blurring the line between music and messaging.

Why does everybody hate the song Thick of It?

The negative reaction to “Thick of It” proved exceptionally intense, even by internet standards. Indy100 (news and culture outlet) documented how TikTok users created viral trends mocking the track, with one viral comment suggesting the song could be improved by “changing everything.”

Backlash reasons

Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) describes the criticism as centered on lyrics and beat being labeled “generic” and “lacking substance.” HotNewHipHop specifically criticized the song structure and KSI’s rapping technique. Songfacts notes that KSI’s own faux-apology tweet backfired, with users ridiculing what they perceived as cringey lyrics.

Social media reactions

The trolling extended beyond ordinary users. Indy100 reports that Drake, Jake Paul, and Trippie Redd himself poked fun at the track on social media. Concertgoers threw Prime bottles at KSI while mocking the song during live performances, according to Wikipedia. The music video reportedly accumulated an 81% dislike ratio according to one YouTube analysis video, though this metric remains unverified independently.

KSI responded directly, posting a video where he stated “I’m getting cooked…” and later calling the hate “not funny” in posts on X. In a Capital FM (music radio network) interview, he expressed frustration: “Because music, you spend a lot of time, mind, body and soul into a piece of art, then you put that into the world then you’ve got people being like, ‘AH TRASH, YOU SUCK.'”

The pattern: even direct engagement from KSI failed to shift the narrative, suggesting the backlash operated independently of artist response.

Is it really Billie Eilish on KSI’s song?

One of the most persistent rumors about “Thick of It” claimed that the breathy vocals on the track belonged to none other than Billie Eilish. This speculation spread widely on TikTok before being definitively debunked.

Vocal credit rumor

According to analysis of the song’s credits and vocal characteristics, the distinctive voice on “Thick of It” does not belong to Billie Eilish. The rumor appears to have originated from fans speculating about the vocal style rather than any confirmed information from official sources.

Erika Sirola revelation

Investigation of the song’s credits reveals other vocal contributors, though specific credit details vary across lyrics databases. The Billie Eilish claim serves as an example of how viral speculation can outpace verification on platforms like TikTok. No credible music publication or official source has confirmed Billie Eilish’s involvement in any capacity.

The catch: even after debunking, the rumor continues circulating, demonstrating how misinformation persists beyond correction.

What is KSI’s biggest song?

By chart metrics, “Thick of It” represents one of KSI’s strongest commercial performances to date. The track peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and reached number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100, according to Wikipedia.

Spotify top songs

Streaming data from music tracking platforms shows “Thick of It” performing particularly well on Spotify, where KSI has accumulated significant listener numbers across his discography. The track’s presence in playlist placements contributed to its commercial showing despite critical backlash.

Chart performance

The contrast between reception and commercial success proved notable: a track that became a meme remained commercially viable. Wikipedia also records that “Thick of It” received a nomination for Song of the Year at the Brit Awards 2025, cementing its status as one of KSI’s most significant releases regardless of critical opinion.

The implication: commercial success and critical acclaim operate on separate tracks, especially for artists with built-in audiences.

Who sings with KSI?

The primary collaborator on “Thick of It” is Trippie Redd, the American rapper and singer known for blending emo and trap influences. This marks their second collaboration following “Wake Up Call” in 2020.

Featured artists

Trippie Redd’s feature appears throughout the track’s second verse and hook sections. His contribution aligns with his established style, drawing on the melodic trap and emo-pop hybrid that characterized his earlier work alongside XXXTENTACION and Juice WRLD, as he described in the Songfacts interview.

Thick of It collaborators

Beyond Trippie Redd, production credits list Ran Michael Djan Jr. as the primary producer. The track samples “Snow (Hey Oh)” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, a detail documented on Wikipedia. The song was released via Warner Music Group and Atlantic Records. A subsequent remix featuring NLE Choppa arrived on November 1, 2024, expanding the collaborative roster.

What this means: the collaboration network around “Thick of It” demonstrates how KSI has positioned himself at the intersection of YouTube celebrity and mainstream music industry infrastructure.

The phenomenon of “Thick of It” reveals something about the disconnect between critical consensus and commercial viability in streaming-era music. KSI created a track that resonated enough to chart highly and earn industry recognition, yet the same release became fodder for mockery across multiple platforms. This gap between chart success and cultural reception appears increasingly common for artists with large existing fanbases who venture into new creative territory.

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Thick of It’ by KSI feat. Trippie Redd blends personal narrative with hustle and resilience, as unpacked in KSI’s hustle breakdown alongside the track’s controversies.

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