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