Subtle was a trip-hop sextet led by american rapper/singer/instrumentalist Doseone.

The band was born in 2001 and dissolved in 2008.
However, after 10 years of inactivity, Subtle returned (as Subtle3, according to the flyer), performing at the Alias tribute show.

Subtle can be seen as a concept band, because with their albums and songs they tell a story: the story of Hour Hero Yes (a fictional character created by Doseone), which is a middleclass worker who tries to do a social climbing; album and video artwork, as well as art on Subtle’s official website, suggest Hour Hero Yes to be a bald man with a black and white striped face, an image which is embodied by a bust that serves as a centerpiece prop during live Subtle shows.

The lyrical themes discussed in the band are various, they can range from criticizing society, Doseone’s own struggles with accepting his autism and sexual identity, American lifestyle, childhood experiences, all analyzed through Dose’s lyrics, that are both introspective, poetic, childish, vulgar and quirky. Similar themes re-occur in 13 & God, a supergroup formed by members of Subtle and The Notwist.

On December 30th 2024, keyboardist Dax Pierson passed away.