Maitre Gims

Gandhi Djuna better known by his stage name Maître Gims (born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo on 6 May 1986), is a French rapper. He is part of the rap group Sexion d'Assaut but is currently developing his solo career.

Gandhi Djuna, born in Congo, immigrated to France when he was just two years old. Coming from a musical family, his father was Djuna Djanana, a vocalist of Papa Wemba's band. His brother is Dadju, a member of the group The Shin Sekaï. Brothers Bedjik and Xgangs are also rappers.

Growing in 3rd arrondissement of Paris, he later moved to 9e arrondissement and eventually 19e arrondissement. Taking the name of Gims, he rapped at college with his friends of Sexion d'Assaut while studying communication and graphical arts. He also worked part-time as a courrier at night.

He recorded his first track with Sexion d'Assaut "Coup 2 Pression" and worked with JR in the Protoype 3015 duo project. He decided to add Maître to his name Gims and also used the pseudonyme "le Fléau" ("the Bane"). He also worked on a number of independent releases, and a mixtape La Terre du Milieu ("Middle-Earth")as part of 3e Prototype after taking Dawala as manager. In 2007, he also worked as producer, wrote instrumental pieces and released his maxi Pour ceux qui dorment les yeux ouverts("For those who sleep with open eyes"). On the maxi were tracks with Sexion d'Assaut, rapper Koma (from Scred Connexion) and a singer Carole. Continuing to record tracks with Sexion d'Assaut at two Inch'All Star battles, he became a well-known French freestyler. He also took part with 3e Prototype in a new street album called Le Renouveau ("The Rebirth").

In 2011, Maître Gims issued a collaboration with his father Djuna Djanana in a new album of Djanana and in 2012, was the artist for a Comics book called Au cœur du vortex("In the Heart of the Vortex").

He heavily promoted the imminent release of his 2013 album Subliminal reportedly on 20 May 2013 as he announced in a 29 January 2013 video "Welcome to the Wa Part. 4: La Consécration". The series of consecutive releases included unpublished materials called Ceci n'est pas un Clip:

Ceci n'est pas un Clip I: Teaser of upcoming tracks
Ceci n'est pas un Clip II: "Tapis dans l'Ombre"
Ceci n'est pas un Clip III : "De Marseille à Paris" featuring Bedjik (his brother), Dr. Bériz, H Magnum & Soprano
Ceci n'est pas un Clip IV: "Close Your Eyes" featuring JR O Chrome
Ceci n'est pas un Clip V: "Sharingan" featuring 1solent, The Shin Sekaï and Orelsan

On 1 March, Maître Gims released "Meurtre par strangulation" (M.P.S.) as a first pre-release from the Subliminal album. On 15 March 2013, just two weeks later, he released a second track from the album "J'me tire", that topped the SNEP official French Singles Chart.