Empowering Women DJs: Uncle Waffles' Trailblazing Journey from Novice to Global Superstar in Just 2 Years
From an exuberant child to a global sensation, Uncle Waffles' awe-inspiring journey as a female DJ has captivated the world Within a mere two years, she has not only mastered the turntables but also gained international recognition as a DJ and producer
Within a brief span of two years, the DJ Uncle Waffles has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a novice behind the turntables to a globally recognized DJ and producer. "It still feels surreal, like this isn't really happening to me, you know?" the 23-year-old sensation confessed to CNN after headlining at Revolt World in Atlanta, Georgia, in September.
By utilizing social media, Uncle Waffles has rapidly risen to prominence in the Amapiano music scene - a rapidly expanding genre originating from Africa, recognized for its fusion of deep house, kwaito, jazz, and percussive basslines. Receiving the moniker "Princess of Amapiano," the artist appreciates the title but does not feel it completely defines her.
"I may be seen as the princess of Amapiano, but I believe that everyone has this potential," she expressed.
"I dont want it to ever make people feel like women have to always be up against each other. We can all coexist, and we can actually all shine together."
An overly animated child-turned-superstar
Lungelihle Zwane was born in Eswatini, a small country between South Africa and Mozambique. As a child, she was known to be very animated. She recalls her mother encouraging her to pursue creative activities, such as putting on plays. She was always eager to take on the leading role and bring a sense of exaggeration to her performances.
Noting influences from South African singers Lebo Mathosa and Chomee, that animated young girl was destined for the big stage.
Uncle Waffles lights up the stage during her performance at the Coachella music festival in California on April 21, 2023.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Coachella
"They were incredible performers," she exclaimed. "They were completely authentic; I saw it and thought, I want to be just like that; I want to be up there."
Unsure of her singing abilities, the performer was confident that she would eventually grace the stage.
She made her first steps on the music scene in 2021, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Auditions 1" Episode 1801 -- Pictured: Mzansi Youth Choir -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC via Getty Images)
Trae Patton/NBC via Getty Images
South African choir moves Simon Cowell to tears in the next stage of US talent competition.
She spent nine months learning to DJ, practicing for eight hours a day and falling in love with the craft.
After building her self-assurance, she decided to go by the stage name "Uncle Waffles."
"In high school, my friends started calling me Waffles after a song from the Teen Titans," she explained. "It became an inside joke that stuck with me throughout my life. When I joined Instagram after high school, they suggested that my username should be Uncle Waffles."
At only 21 years old, she established her stage name and relocated from Eswatini to South Africa to promote her DJ services.
"I realized that I had to move to a place that values creative talents, where artists are compensated for their work, and can thrive through their creativity," Uncle Waffles explained.
At first, she took on many smaller or unpaid gigs, but in 2021, she had the opportunity to step in for another DJ at Soweto's Zone Six Venue. At the time, no one knew who Uncle Waffles was, so she knew she had to make an impression.
"After I finished my set, I started dancing with the crowd and that's when I realized that it truly enhanced the performance," she reminisced.
Uncle Waffles, seen here on the red carpet at the BET Awards 2023 on June 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, has quickly become a contender for numerous awards since first appearing on the scene.
The following day, she shared a video of her dancing to the song "Adiwele" by South African singer Young Stunna. The post quickly went viral after Canadian rapper Drake shared it on Instagram, propelling Uncle Waffles to stardom.
The international language of dance
"I never anticipated that it would totally transform my life, because how does that even happen?" the DJ expressed. "How do you transition from performing for free to getting booked for international gigs the following week?"
Ever since her viral moment, Uncle Waffles has integrated dance as a key element of her performances. Recognizing language as a major obstacle in promoting Amapiano music globally, she began to realize the power of dance in overcoming this barrier.
"Even if you're hearing the song for the first time from afar, there's always a compelling urge to dance," shared Uncle Waffles. "Just recently, I heard someone say that (Amapiano music) gave them an ancestral feeling."
Uncle Waffles, surrounded by dancers, performs onstage during an event in Cannes, France, in June 2023.
Antony Jones/Getty Images for Spotify
"People will understand dance, even if they dont understand the lyrics."
The new approach proved successful, and the pioneering DJ made history in April by becoming the first Amapiano DJ to perform on the main stage at the Coachella music festival in the US. Subsequently, she received a nomination for Best International Act at the 2023 BET Awards. By September, Uncle Waffles was headlining and curating a sold-out show at the Avant Gardner in Brooklyn, New York.
Nigerian afrobeats singer Asake on the set of his music video "Basquiat".
CNN
Asake has cultivated an innovative sound that is revolutionizing Afrobeats. In addition to her role as a DJ, she has honed her skills as a producer, dedicating three months to crafting her debut single "Tanzania." The track has amassed over 12 million streams on Spotify and even caught the attention of Beyoncé, who featured it during a dance break on her Renaissance Tour. In the past two years, Asake has released three EPs, showcasing her versatility and talent as a producer.
Releasing music requires a lot of vulnerability due to the inevitable criticism," she explained. "However, it was the best decision I've ever made as it led to multiplatinum success."
Uncle Waffles' success has paved the way for aspiring female DJs to become global stars.
Uncle Waffles affirmed that it is entirely possible for a woman to pursue her dreams in male-dominated spaces, demonstrating this by commanding the stage as a DJ.
She further emphasized that being a DJ does not impose limitations, stating that if one desires to perform on a larger stage, it can be achieved.
