Subliminal (French pronunciation: [sybliminal]) is the debut solo album by Congolese-French singer and rapper Maître Gims. The 18-track album was released 20 May 2013 on Wati B and Monstre Marin Corporation, the latter founded by Maître Gims himself. The lyrics were all by Maître Gims whereas the music was by Maître Gims, Renaud Rebillaud and Stan-E Music. The album was a great success charting in France (reaching #2), Belgium (reaching #1) as well as charting in Switzerland.

On 2 December 2013, it was reissued and titled Subliminal / La face cachée (pronounced [la fas kaʃe], transl. The Dark Side), including 6 additional tracks for a total of 24 tracks. By 31 August 2015, the album had accumulated a total of more than 1,000,000 copies sold in France.^[1] In March 2021, "Bella" combined 488 million views.

In 2012, Maître Gims announced via social networks that he was preparing a comic strip entitled Au cœur du Vortex. Along with the design, Maître Gims is developing a concept textile brand: Vortex VX.

Although the announcement of a solo album by Maître Gims had been announced for a while, it was 29 January 2013, in the video Welcome to the Wa Part. 4: La Consécration, which he announced the release of his solo album Subliminal for 20 May 2013.

On 1 March 2013, Maître Gims broadcast "Meurtre par strangulation", an extract from his album accompanied by a clip. On 15 March he unveiled "J'me tire", the second extract. This track was the first single from the album and it was accompanied by a music video. He ranked number 1 in the Top 50 for four weeks starting 18 March 2013.^[2]

In 2012, Maître Gims announced through social network that he was preparing for an animated series titled Au cœur du Vortex and in conjunction was developing a clothing line to be named Vortex VX.

The greatly expected solo album was heavily promoted by Maître Gims in an announcement through his video "Welcome to the Wa Part. 4: La Consécration".

A series of consecutive releases of unpublished materials called Ceci n'est pas un Clip were released in anticipation:

• 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. Beriz, 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
• Ceci n'est pas un clip VI: Bavon featuring Charly Bell

On 1 March 2013, Maître Gims also 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.