“Shut up! And welcome to Beast. Where we talk about beast players,” says KSI on 2nd October 2011 in his YouTube video, only two days after the official launch of EA Sports’ FIFA 12 in Europe on 30th September 2011. Sure, KSI started his ‘Beast’ YouTube series in FIFA 11 and had seen some success, but it was only when he carried it over to FIFA 12 that we saw the Ultimate Team-themed series reach staggering heights of success. KSI, real name Olajide Olatunji, produced some of the most refreshing FIFA YouTube content back in those days. If it wasn’t a Beast video that KSI’s legion of fans was tuning in for, then it was eager viewers waiting for a new upload in his beloved FIFA 12 ‘Race to Division One’ series.
The 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-rapper tapped into original ideas and executed them without the need for over-the-top thumbnails (we’ve all seen the repetitive, uninspiring thumbnails of FIFA YouTubers pulling shocked faces for Ultimate Team pack-opening videos) and very little production value in them. But hey, that’s what might have made them so appealing back in those days, especially when KSI could sell his YouTube content on his personality, charm and humour, even if the latter might not have appealed to everyone, aged poorly for some people or deemed ‘controversial’ for what he said or did. KSI’s playlist for his FIFA 12 Beast videos has over a whopping one million views, not to mention even more views on the individual videos.
What was special about Beast was that KSI spotlighted the overlooked Ultimate Team cards; the ones that most people wouldn’t even dare to take a second look at, would flog on the online mode’s marketplace or even quick sell for barely any coins. Forget about the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, Wayne Rooney, Franck Ribery and more. Beast was specifically about the likes of Adebayo Akinfenwa, Jon Taylor, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and more. KSI, back in those days, could influence the FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) marketplace like Elon Musk affecting bitcoin by tweeting or former US President Donald Trump impacting the stock markets. If KSI mentioned a player on Beast or Twitter in those days, expect FIFA 12’s Ultimate Team marketplace to react like the New York Stock Exchange (albeit on an extremely smaller scale, of course). KSI produced six FIFA 12 Beast videos and spotlighted eight players (one video featured three players). So, we’ve decided to take a closer look at what happened to the eight players who featured in KSI’s fan-favourite series.
1. Adebayo Akinfenwa
Why Was Akinfenwa On KSI’s Beast Series?
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KSI described Adebayo Akinfenwa as a “complete tank” on FIFA 12, which, for the uninitiated, is referring to his freakish strength stat. While he only had a bronze-rated Ultimate Team card and an unintimidating 63 base rating, Akinfenwa was the strongest player in FIFA 12 with an astonishing 98 strength attribute. His reputation as the strongest player would carry across multiple titles in the franchise, including EA Sports’ FIFA 22.
How Much Was He Worth On FIFA 12?
Well, KSI admitted in his YouTube series that he had “price locked” Akinfenwa, with his card costing a minimum of 5,000 Ultimate Team coins at the time. His price would fluctuate -- if my ageing memory serves me correctly, that is -- but KSI’s spotlight of Akinfenwa meant that FUT players would have to splash out more than they usually would do to buy him, especially for a bronze-rated Ultimate Team card.
So, What Happened To Akinfenwa Post-FIFA 12 Beast?
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Akinfenwa was in his second spell at Northampton Town when he was showcased on KSI’s Beast series, but more than a decade later he is still playing professional football. The 39-year-old English striker, who weighed around 16st in 2015 and could bench press 180kg, went on to play for Gillingham, AFC Wimbledon and Wycombe Wanderers after he left Northampton in 2013. Akinfenwa has been with current side Wycombe since 2016, with his current contract set to expire in June 2022.
Has His Ultimate Team Rating Improved On FIFA 22 Compared To FIFA 12?
Indeed it has! Akinfenwa has switched his bronze Ultimate Team card on FIFA 12 for a silver-rated FUT card in FIFA 22, with the Wycombe striker now holding a 65 overall.
2. Jon Taylor
Why Was Taylor On KSI’s Beast Series?
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Jon Taylor, much like Adebayo Akinfenwa, was a bronze-rated Ultimate Team player in FIFA 12, but he excelled due to his whopping 91 pace, 94 acceleration and 92 sprint speed, along with holding 88 agility. Oh, and he had four-star skill moves, which could be combined with his lethal pace to slice through defences. Not too shabby for a 61-rated player, to be honest.
How Much Was He Worth On FIFA 12?
You thought Akinfenwa was expensive at 5,000 Ultimate Team coins? Well, as KSI revealed in his Beast video, Taylor could cost up to a staggering 50,000 coins. So, how could he cost so much even before people saw him on Beast? Well, as KSI candidly admitted, he “kinda mentioned him on Twitter.”
So, What Happened To Taylor Post-FIFA 12 Beast?
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Taylor was at Shrewsbury Town when he appeared in KSI’s Beast video, but the 29-year-old English winger would leave the Shrews in 2014. The Liverpool-born footballer went on to play for Peterborough United for two seasons before signing for Rotherham United in 2016. Taylor spent three seasons at Rotherham and then signed for current side Doncaster Rovers in 2019, with the former Shrewsbury player under contract until 2023.
Has His Ultimate Team Rating Improved On FIFA 22 Compared To FIFA 12?
Yes! He’s moved into the silver category, and his overall has been bumped up from FIFA 12’s 61 rating to 66 on FIFA 22. However, the Doncaster man has dropped to three-star skills in FIFA 22 and his pace has fallen by one stat point (from 91 to 90) when compared to his FIFA 12 card. But we still think he is very much a ‘Ruud Boy,’ though.
3. O’Brian White
Why Was White On KSI’s Beast Series?
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Hmm, this could be awkward explaining this one. In fact, watch the Beast video to find out why KSI spotlighted him. Compared with Adebayo Akinfenwa and Jon Taylor, KSI only had one major reason for why he made an entire video around O’Brian White. The ‘Imponderable Beast,’ folks. Enough said.
How Much Was He Worth On FIFA 12?
The verdict is out on this one, unfortunately. KSI didn’t show White’s price during the Beast video, but he did warn that the player could be price locked. It would be safe to say that he didn’t come cheap…
So, What Happened To White Post-FIFA 12 Beast?
White was playing for Seattle Sounders at the time of FIFA 12, but it would also be the final club he played for in his career. That’s right, he’s no longer a footballer. The 36-year-old former Sounders forward underwent surgery in April 2011 to remove a blood clot in his left leg. However, White would undergo a second surgery in August 2011 to remove a blood clot from his leg. The American club would confirm in March 2012 that they had bought out White’s contract, which would see him removed from Sounders’ roster limit and salary cap. Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer revealed at the time that the MLS outfit would help with White’s rehabilitation with the “hope he can resume his playing career.”
Has His Ultimate Team Rating Improved On FIFA 22 Compared To FIFA 12?
White only had two cards in Ultimate Team history: a 62-rated bronze card on FIFA 11 and a 63-rated bronze card on FIFA 12.
4. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
Why Was Quincy On KSI’s Beast Series?
Well, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie was pure pace through and through. He had an eye-catching 94 pace, acceleration of 94 and a sprint speed of 97. So, how does one take full advantage of Quincy’s lethal speed? Yup, Quincy had four-star skills! Four- and five-star skillers combined with ridiculous pace led to many, many controllers being broken back in the days of FIFA 12.
How Much Was He Worth On FIFA 12?
KSI didn’t show Quincy’s Ultimate Team value in the video -- come on, KSI, you’re making my life a lot harder writing about this in 2022 -- with FUT-dedicated websites like Futwiz and Futhead no longer holding data on his pricing back in FIFA 12. However, as I’ve mentioned before, if a player was shown on Beast, it’s safe to assume they are not going to be cheap.
So, What Happened To Quincy Post-FIFA 12 Beast?
Okay, buckle up for this one: it’s one hell of a ride! Quincy played for Panathinaikos when he was in FIFA 12, but he would leave the Greek side and play for the likes of Portuguese club Boavista and Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen. However, the 35-year-old winger made a monumental decision in his playing career in 2020 when he initially retired from football at the age of 30. By leaving football behind at the time, the former Spartak Moscow and Arsenal man pursued a rap career under the name ‘BLOW.’
“It wasn’t easy to make that transition from football to music,” Quincy told The Athletic in 2020. “But when I eventually revealed myself -- when I told people that Quincy Owusu-Abeyie is now the rapper BLOW -- it meant that I could just be myself. With music, it’s different: you can bring one banger, but then you’ve got to think about the next one you’re bringing. If you fall off, it’s done. With football, you’ve got 22 men on the pitch, you’re with your teammates. In music, it’s all on you.”
Quincy made a U-turn on his football retirement and returned to the sport in 2020 after he signed for Dutch side SV Robinhood Amsterdam. Considering KSI’s own transition from YouTuber to rapper, we seriously need to see a rap collaboration between the Brit and BLOW. It’s time to make it happen!
Has His Ultimate Team Rating Improved On FIFA 22 Compared To FIFA 12?
Despite returning to football, Futwiz and Futhead have no record of a FIFA 22 Ultimate Team card for Quincy. It is hardly surprising, though, especially as SV Robinhood Amsterdam are a Dutch amateur club. Quincy had a silver 70-rated card on FIFA 12, with his last appearance on FUT coming in FIFA 17. In fact, the former Ghana international had a lower rating on FIFA 17 than he did in FIFA 12, with Quincy holding a 69 overall. However, one silver lining for Quincy was that he had four-star skills in FIFA 17, which is the exact same as his FIFA 12 card.
5. Erik Huseklepp
Why Was Huseklepp On KSI’s Beast Series?
Erik Huseklepp had four-star skills and 88 pace for his silver 72-rated FIFA 12 Ultimate Team card, with KSI giving him his ‘official’ certification of being a montage-worthy player. Oh, that’s not to mention that he played for Portsmouth when they were in the Championship, so players could easily build chemistry links with other players from the league.
How Much Was He Worth On FIFA 12?
For a silver-rated FUT card, Huseklepp was a decent price when KSI showed him off in his Beast video. Huseklepp could cost up to 3,000 Ultimate Team coins, with players able to snap him up for as little as 2,500 coins at auction. Sure, those were decent prices at the time, but the moment KSI spotlighted a player, their price went up. So, Huseklepp’s value, without question, would have shot up after his appearance on Beast.
So, What Happened To Huseklepp Post-FIFA 12 Beast?
Huseklepp is no longer playing football. The 37-year-old Norwegian former forward was loaned to Birmingham City in February 2012 after Portsmouth went into administration, with the club desperate to reduce their wage bill at the time. Huseklepp returned to Norwegian side Brann for a second spell in 2012, with the ex-Norway international later playing for Haugesund, Asane and Fyllingsdalen. He is now the assistant coach of Brann and is working under club manager Eirik Horneland, who also coached Huseklepp when he was a player.
Has His Ultimate Team Rating Improved On FIFA 22 Compared To FIFA 12?
Huseklepp’s last appearance in Ultimate Team was FIFA 17, with the player holding a silver 68-rated card. He had also lost his status as a four-star skiller by the time FIFA 17 came out, with Huseklepp dropping to three-star skills. But one thing for sure is that he will always remain a FIFA 12 legend.
6. Maximilian Beister (‘German Trio’)
Why Was Beister On KSI’s Beast Series?
Maximilian Beister was in a rare KSI Beast video spotlighting three players at once, aptly named the ‘German Trio.’ He had a silver 69-rated FIFA 12 Ultimate Team card and boasted an impressive 91 pace for a right winger, with 91 acceleration, 93 sprint speed and 81 agility. As KSI pointed out in his video, Beister and his fellow two members of the German Trio (we’ll come on to them shortly) were from the same country and played in the same league, meaning players could easily link them in a front three and, in the progress, secure nine chemistry apiece.
How Much Was He Worth On FIFA 12?
KSI bought Beister for a measly 1,200 Ultimate Team coins, but even the YouTuber admitted that his value would probably shoot up the more people who tuned in for his Beast video.
So, What Happened To Beister Post-FIFA 12 Beast?
Beister, who was on loan at Fortuna Dusseldorf when FIFA 12 came out, would return to Hamburger before his contract with the German club was terminated in 2015. He went on to play for Mainz (loaned out to 1860 Munich and Melbourne Victory during his spell), KFC Uerdingen 05 and FC Ingolstadt 04. Now 31, Beister is playing for FC Ingolstadt 04 and the German club’s reserve team, with the winger under contract until June 2022.
Has His Ultimate Team Rating Improved On FIFA 22 Compared To FIFA 12?
Beister is in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team and has a silver 66-rated card, which is two fewer overall points than his FIFA 12 card. In fact, Beister has also seen his pace fall from FIFA 12’s 91 to only 72 in FIFA 22, a significant drop for a member of the pacey German Trio.
7. Mike Konnecke (‘German Trio’)
Why Was Konnecke On KSI’s Beast Series?
Enter Mike Konnecke, who is the second member of the German Trio we’re going to take a closer look at. Much like Maximilian Beister, Konnecke had an abundance of pace. However, he was faster than the aforementioned German Trio member, with Konnecke holding 93 pace, 94 acceleration and 93 sprint speed. Oh, and when compared to Beister, Konnecke was only a bronze 62-rated Ultimate Team card on FIFA 12. A quality find from KSI, let’s be honest.
How Much Was He Worth On FIFA 12?
KSI purchased Konnecke for 3,000 Ultimate Team coins, which is decent for a bronze card that has a whopping 93 pace. But, of course, his price skyrocketed thanks to his appearance in Beast.
So, What Happened To Konnecke Post-FIFA 12 Beast?
Konnecke played for German side Erzgebirge Aue until 2016, with the 33-year-old striker signing for FSV Zwickau. With his contract set to expire in June 2022, Konnecke has only scored six times in 165 appearances for his current club.
Has His Ultimate Team Rating Improved On FIFA 22 Compared To FIFA 12?
Konnecke holds the same rating on FIFA 22 as he did on FIFA 12. How crazy is that? Compared to his FIFA 12 card, though, Konnecke has seen his pace drop from 93 to 88 on FIFA 22, with the player now in a CAM position instead of a striker role.
8. Chinedu Ede (‘German Trio’)
Why Was Ede On KSI’s Beast Series?
Last but not least, a big welcome for the final member of the German Trio: Chinedu Ede. Similar to Mike Konnecke and Maximilian Beister, Ede landed a spot in KSI’s Beast video due to his pacey stats. A silver 66-rated card on FIFA 12 Ultimate Team, Ede had 91 pace, 92 acceleration and 93 sprint speed.
How Much Was He Worth On FIFA 12?
Ede was picked up by KSI for only 700 Ultimate Team coins, which made him the cheapest member of the German Trio. Well, for KSI it did. I don’t imagine many others paid as little for him as KSI did…
So, What Happened To Ede Post-FIFA 12 Beast?
Well, Ede is the only member of the German Trio to have hung up his boots. The 35-year-old German former winger left Union Berlin in 2012 and went on to play for Mainz. During his spell at Mainz, Ede was loaned out to German club 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Cypriot side Anorthosis. The ex-Union Berlin player would also play for Twente, Bangkok United and VSG Altglienicke before announcing his retirement from football in 2019.
Ede traded in his football boots for the music booth after his retirement. Yup, Ede’s music can still be found online, with his YouTube channel featuring songs like ‘Reflexion’ and ‘Biafra.’ Speaking to T-Online in 2020, the former footballer revealed he ventured into music out of “fun” and he was critical of what he called the ‘football industry.’
“I started because it was fun,” he said. “In this industry, and football really is an industry, they simply want adaptable robots, who keep telling the same s**t over and over again. Everything around it, with all these officials -- it disgusted me. 99 per cent of the players who spoke openly and honestly were replaced very quickly. Everything made me feel so disgusted. It had nothing to do with the original sport anymore. Anybody with rough edges was chiselled down until they fit into this world. Sure, you got a lot of money for it, but in the end, no money in the world justifies not being able to be yourself.”
Has His Ultimate Team Rating Improved On FIFA 22 Compared To FIFA 12?
Nope. He’s not in FIFA 22 due to his retirement. However, Ede’s last Ultimate Team card came in FIFA 17 and he climbed one overall compared to his FIFA 12 card. It is worth mentioning that Ede’s 67-rated card on FIFA 17 had 89 pace, which is a slight downgrade compared to his 91 pace on FIFA 12.
Featured Image Credit: KSI's YouTube/EA SportsTopics: Gaming, KSI, Spotlight