Uncle Waffles: 30 Facts You Need to Know

Uncle Waffles, the rising star from Eswatini, has made waves in the music industry with her unique blend of amapiano and captivating performances. Here are 30 essential facts about her:

  1. Real Name: Uncle Waffles was born Lungelihle Zwane on 30 March 2000 (24 years), in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).
  2. Early Life: She was raised by her grandmother after being separated from her parents at a young age.
  3. Family Reconnection: Zwane reconciled with her mother during her teenage years, though their relationship remained strained.
  4. Musical Influences: Growing up, she was influenced by South African house and kwaito music, drawing inspiration from artists like Black Coffee, Lebo Mathosa, and DJ Kent.
  5. Television Career: Before pursuing DJing, Uncle Waffles was a television presenter on Studio1 at Eswatini TV.
  6. Introduction to DJing: She was introduced to DJing by a friend who worked at the studio where she presented.
  7. Move to South Africa: She moved to South Africa to attend university and immerse herself in the local music scene.
  8. COVID-19 Dedication: During the 2020 lockdowns, she practiced DJing for up to eight hours a day.
  9. Creative Agency: Uncle Waffles signed with KreativeKornerr, a South African creative agency that helped launch her career.
  10. Breakthrough Moment: Her major breakthrough came in October 2021 when she stepped in for a DJ at Zone 6 nightclub in Soweto.
  11. Viral Video: A video of her dancing to Young Stunna’s “Adiwele” during her set went viral, significantly boosting her profile.
  12. Debut Single: In March 2022, she released her debut single “Tanzania,” which quickly climbed to number one in South Africa.
  13. Certification: “Tanzania” was certified 7x platinum in South Africa.
  14. Rolling Stone Recognition: The track was recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the best Afropop songs of 2022.
  15. First EP: Her debut EP, Red Dragon, was released alongside her single “Tanzania” in March 2022.
  16. International Tour: She embarked on her first tour of the UK and Ireland following the release of Red Dragon.
  17. Music Video Debut: In September 2022, she released her debut music video for “Tanzania.”
  18. BBC Radio 1 Residency: She announced a residency on BBC Radio 1 in September 2022.
  19. Coachella Performance: In April 2023, she became the first amapiano artist to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
  20. Beyoncé Sample: Beyoncé sampled “Tanzania” during her Renaissance World Tour.
  21. BET Awards Nomination: She was nominated for Best International Act at the 2023 BET Awards.
  22. Second EP: Her second EP, Asylum, was released in March 2023 and featured the hit single “Yahyuppiyah.”
  23. Gold Certification: Asylum was certified gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA).
  24. Follow-Up Release: In August 2023, she released Solace, supported by the single “Echoes” featuring Tony Duardo.
  25. Recent Single: In April 2024, she released the single “Wadibusa” featuring OHP Sage, Pcee, and Djy Bizana.
  26. Chart Success: “Wadibusa” peaked at No. 4 on the Local Top 100 and No. 11 on the International Top 200 charts.
  27. Tour Announcement: She will embark on the Less Talk, More Piano Tour starting June 2, 2024, and continuing until November 29, 2024.
  28. Personal Life: Uncle Waffles is currently dating Thato Tlhankana, also known as Kai.
  29. Burger Launch: In September 2023, she launched the “Uncle Waffles Burger” in partnership with KFC South Africa.
  30. Impact on Amapiano: Uncle Waffles’s rise reflects the growing influence of amapiano music on the global stage and her dedication to her craft.

Uncle Waffles’s journey from a television presenter in Eswatini to an international DJ and record producer is a testament to her talent, hard work, and the global reach of amapiano music.

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