Uncle Waffles, from Swaziland and based in South Africa, is a notable DJ and record producer in the amapiano genre, acclaimed for her musical talent and dance skills. Billboard named her the “princess of amapiano.” Her debut single, “Tanzania,” topped the charts in South Africa, achieving 7x platinum status. Her performances and music have made her a significant figure in South Africa’s music scene.
Uncle Waffles Biography
| Full Name: | Lungelihle Zwane |
| Stage Name: | Uncle Waffles |
| Born: | 30 March 2000 (age: 24 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Eswatini, South Africa |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Education: | University of KwaZulu-Natal |
| Height: | 1.61 m |
| Parents: | Mr. & Mrs. Zwane |
| Siblings: | N/A |
| Spouse: | Not Married |
| Boyfriend • Partner: | Thato Tlhankana |
| Children: | N/A |
| Occupation: | DJ • Record Producer |
| Net Worth: | $300,000 |
Early Life
Lungelihle Zwane, aka Uncle Waffles (born March 30, 2000). Challenges marked Zwane’s upbringing in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), as her grandmother raised her without the presence of her parents. It wasn’t until her teenage years that she reconnected with her mother, although their relationship remained strained. Despite these difficulties, Zwane found solace and inspiration in music, particularly South African house and kwaito artists like Black Coffee, Lebo Mathosa, and DJ Kent.
Before pursuing a career as a DJ, Zwane ventured into television presenting, hosting Studio1 on Eswatini TV. However, her journey took a turn when she departed from the show in January 2022, paving the way for new opportunities. During her time in Studio 1, she was introduced to DJing by a friend, who showed her the ropes using a set of DJ decks available at the studio. This sparked her passion for music even further.
Education
Following her high school education in Swaziland, Uncle Waffles embarked on a journey to pursue a degree in information technology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. However, her academic path took an unexpected turn when she decided to drop out to fully devote herself to her true passion: creating and performing music on a global scale.
Career
During the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020, Uncle Waffles delved into the world of DJing, dedicating eight hours daily to perfecting her craft. With the guidance of South African creative agency KreativeKornerr, she secured gigs in the country’s competitive music scene. Her breakout moment came in October 2021 when she filled in for a DJ at Soweto’s Zone 6 nightclub, and her viral dance to “Adiwele” by Young Stunna catapulted her to fame.
Uncle Waffles then ventured into music production, dropping her debut single “Tanzania” in March 2022, followed by her EP “Red Dragon.” Praised by Rolling Stone as one of the top Afropop songs of the year, Uncle Waffles solidified her status as a global ambassador for Amapiano. In April 2022, she embarked on her inaugural UK and Ireland tour, headlining alongside DJ Maphorisa and Vocalist, marking the region’s first all-star am a piano tour.
The momentum continued as Uncle Waffles released her debut music video for “Tanzania” in September 2022 and secured a residency on BBC Radio 1. Her collaboration with KFC South Africa for the “Uncle Waffles burger” further cemented her presence in the mainstream. She then took her talents to the US and Australia, earning accolades from Mixmag and Audiomack as a breakthrough artist.
In March 2023, Uncle Waffles dropped her second EP, “Asylum,” quickly earning gold certification in South Africa. The pinnacle of her success came in April 2023 when she became the first amapiano artist to perform at Coachella. Her impact extended globally when Beyoncé sampled “Tanzania” during her Renaissance World Tour. Nominated for Best International Act at the 2023 BET Awards, Uncle Waffles continued her musical journey with the release of “Solace” as part of her double-sided project “An Asylum of Solace,” featuring the single “Echoes” with Tony Duardo.
Filmography
EPs
- Red Dragon – Released: 16 March 2022
- Asylum – Released: 31 March 2023
- Solace – Released: 11 August 2023
Singles
- 2022: Tanzania (feat. Sino Msolo & BoiBizza)
- 2023: Yahyvuppiyah (feat. Pcee, EeQue & Chley)
- 2023: Echoes (feat. Manana & Lusanda Spiritual Group)
- 2023: Sghubuhandro
- 2023: Peace & Happiness (feat. 2Kultured, Jandas & Vuyo Ndevu)
- 2023: Peacock Revisit (feat. Sbuda Maleather)
- 2023: Waffles Anthem (feat. Shakes & Les and Murumba Pitch)
- 2023: Khumbula (feat. Shakes & Les, Mawhoo & Sino Msolo)
Personal Life
Uncle Waffles, aged 24, is in a romantic relationship with Thato Tlhankana, also known as Kai. Adding a unique twist to their relationship, Kai serves as the co-founder and manager of Kreative Korner, the management agency representing Uncle Waffles.
Awards
- 2022: African Muzik Magazine Awards – Best DJ Africa
- 2023: GQ Men of the Year Awards (SA) – Woman of the Year
Social Media
Follow her on all her social media platforms:
Net Worth
Uncle Waffles is a well-known South African DJ and record producer who has made a name for himself in the amapiano genre. With a net worth of $300,000, he has become a prominent figure in the music industry. His unique sound and talent have earned him a loyal fan base and numerous accolades. He continues to create music that resonates with his audience and solidifies his position as a leading artist in the amapiano genre.
FAQs
Is Uncle Waffles South African?
Yes, Uncle Waffles is South African. Her real name is Lungelihle Zwane, and she was born in Eswatini.
Why is Uncle Waffles famous?
She became famous after posting a video of herself dancing to South African singer Young Stunna’s song “Adiwele”, which went viral on Instagram, thanks to Canadian rapper Drake sharing it.
How old is Uncle Waffle?
She is 24 years of age. Born on 30 March 2000.
Where did Uncle Waffles learn to DJ?
She learned to DJ from a friend who worked at Studio 1 on Eswatini TV. Zwane was introduced to DJing at the studio, which had a set of DJ decks when she was 15.