GIMS

Early Life

Gandhi Djuna, known professionally as Maître Gims, was born on May 6, 1986, in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). He comes from a musical family, with his father being a member of Papa Wemba's Viva La Musica troupe. In 1988, due to political instability, his family moved to France, where they faced significant challenges, including living in foster care and squats until he turned 18. Gims is one of fourteen siblings, including fellow rapper Dadju. He studied graphic design and communication, adopting the nickname "Gims" inspired by Asian cinema and martial arts.

Career

Gims began his music career in 2002 as part of the hip-hop group Sexion d'Assaut, which gained popularity in the French rap scene. The group released their first mixtape in 2006 and their debut album, "Le Renouveau," in 2007. Gims's solo career took off in 2013 with the release of his first album, "Subliminal," which sold over a million copies and featured hits like "J'me tire" and "Bella." He has collaborated with international artists such as Sia, Pitbull, and Lil Wayne, and has sold over 5 million records throughout his career.

Personal Life

Gims is known for being private about his personal life. He has six children, two from a previous relationship and four from his marriage to Demdem, which began in 2005. Despite his fame, he often expresses regret over not being able to spend more time with his family. Gims has faced challenges regarding his French nationality application, which he claims was denied due to a minor offense from his youth, rather than any issues related to his marital status. He continues to live and work in France and Morocco, balancing his artistic endeavors with family life.