Gims (real name Gandhi Alimasi Djuna) is a French-Congolese rap and urban-pop star best known for the smash hits "Bella" and "Sapés comme jamais". A former member of the French hip-hop collective Sexion d'Assaut, he is currently headlining his Carpe Diem Tour across 2026 and 2027.
With a career spanning more than two decades, Gims has grown into one of the most successful French-language artists of his generation, selling millions of records and playing sold-out arenas — and even stadiums — across Europe.
Gims Quick Facts
Real Name: Gandhi Alimasi Djuna
Born: 6 May 1986, Kinshasa (then Zaire)
Birthplace: Kinshasa, DR Congo
Stage Name: GIMS (all caps, since ~2019; formerly Maître Gims)
Genres: French hip-hop, rap, urban pop
Years Active: 2002–present
Known For: "Bella", "J'me tire", "Est-ce que tu m'aimes?", "Sapés comme jamais", "La même" (with Vianney)
Latest News: Carpe Diem Tour 2026/2027 (see below)
Early Life
Gims was born Gandhi Alimasi Djuna on 6 May 1986 in Kinshasa, then the capital of Zaire (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo). He moved to France with his family while still a toddler and grew up in Paris. Music ran in his blood: his father, Djanana Djuna, sang with the Congolese band Viva La Musica. Before committing to music full-time, Gims studied graphic design.
Career
Gims first rose to fame in the early 2000s as a co-founder of Sexion d'Assaut, the French hip-hop group that became one of the defining rap acts of its era in France. He launched his solo career in 2013 with the debut album "Subliminal", released that May. The record was a phenomenon in France — reportedly selling more than one million copies (double diamond certification) and peaking at No. 2 on the French album chart, driven by the singles "J'me tire", "Bella" and "Zombie".
The follow-up, "Mon cœur avait raison" (August 2015), confirmed his superstar status with hits including "Est-ce que tu m'aimes?" and "Sapés comme jamais", the latter winning a Victoire de la musique award in 2016. In 2018, his duet with Vianney, "La même", became the most-played French-language song on French radio in 15 years, and Gims finished the year as the most-played artist on French television and radio. In September 2019, he made history as the first French-language rapper to fill the Stade de France.
His list of collaborators spans the globe — Sia, Pitbull, Lil Wayne, Stromae, Maluma and Sting among them. According to Ticketmaster CH, his latest album is "Les dernières volontés de Mozart". All told, Gims has sold more than 6 million albums over his career.
Carpe Diem Tour 2026/2027
The fresh 2026 peg for Gims fans is the Carpe Diem Tour, taking him across France and Belgium through late 2026 and into 2027. Dates listed on Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.ch/ca) include:
- Oct 27–29, 2026 — Nantes
- Nov 2–3, 2026 — Lyon
- Nov 9, 2026 — Toulouse
- Nov 17, 2026 — Strasbourg
- Nov 24–25, 2026 — Brussels
- Dec 4–5, 2026 — Orléans
- Dec 16–17, 2026 — Paris
- Jun 19, 2027 — Marseille
- Jul 3, 2027 — Nice
Watch the Official Video
Fans of French music can also read our Angèle biography, Aya Nakamura biography and Tiakola biography.
FAQs
What is Gims' real name?
Gims was born Gandhi Alimasi Djuna in Kinshasa. He performed for years as Maître Gims before shortening his stage name to GIMS, in all caps, around 2019.
What is Gims known for?
He is known for French rap and urban-pop hits such as "Bella", "J'me tire", "Est-ce que tu m'aimes?", "Sapés comme jamais" and "La même", as well as his years with the hip-hop group Sexion d'Assaut.
Is Gims touring in 2026?
Yes — Gims is on his Carpe Diem Tour, with shows scheduled across France and Belgium in late 2026 and continuing into 2027, according to Ticketmaster listings.
Which group was Gims in?
Gims co-founded the French hip-hop group Sexion d'Assaut in the early 2000s and rose to fame with them before launching his solo career in 2013.
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