Uncle Waffles Biography: Real Name, Age, Songs, EPs and Career

Uncle Waffles is a Swazi-born DJ, record producer, dancer, and entertainer who has become one of the internationally recognised names associated with South African amapiano. Known for her energetic performances, expressive dancing, and ability to connect with audiences, she helped bring amapiano to a wider global audience.

Born Lungelihle Zwane, Uncle Waffles rose to prominence in 2021 after videos of her DJ performances attracted widespread attention online. She followed that breakthrough with music releases such as “Tanzania,” “Yahyuppiyah,” “Wadibusa,” and “Zenzele,” alongside extended plays including Red Dragon, Asylum, Solace, and 4 Da Ho’s.

Uncle Waffles Profile Summary

Early Life and Background

Uncle Waffles was born Lungelihle Zwane in Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland. She grew up in the country before eventually moving to South Africa, where she developed her professional career as a DJ and performer.

During her early years, she developed an interest in music and entertainment. South African house music and kwaito were among the sounds that influenced her musical tastes, helping shape her appreciation for dance music and DJ culture.

Her journey into entertainment was not limited to music. Before becoming widely recognised as a DJ, she worked as a television presenter in Eswatini. That experience gave her exposure to broadcasting, public presentation, and the entertainment industry.

Her early experiences helped prepare her for the demands of performing in front of audiences. When she eventually began attracting attention as a DJ, she already had experience presenting herself confidently in a public setting.

How Uncle Waffles Started Her Career

Uncle Waffles’ path into DJing developed through her interest in music and access to DJ equipment. While working in television, she encountered DJ equipment at the station and began learning how to mix music.

She gradually developed her skills, practising transitions and learning how to manage the energy of a set. Her growing interest in DJing eventually became a serious career ambition.

South Africa offered opportunities to perform within the rapidly expanding amapiano scene. She moved into the country’s entertainment circuit and began developing her reputation through live appearances and music-related events.

Her performances stood out because she combined music selection and mixing with energetic dancing. This approach helped her establish a distinctive identity in a scene where DJs often build their reputations through their ability to create memorable live experiences.

Uncle Waffles’ Breakthrough in 2021

Uncle Waffles experienced a major breakthrough in 2021 when videos of her DJ performances began circulating widely online. Her performance style, confidence, and dancing attracted attention from music fans and entertainment personalities.

The viral attention helped her reach audiences far beyond the venues where she performed. It also introduced more listeners to the amapiano sound and the broader South African music scene.

Her rise demonstrated the role social media can play in modern music careers. A memorable live performance can reach people around the world, creating opportunities for bookings, collaborations, and international recognition.

After gaining visibility, Uncle Waffles continued developing her DJ sets and releasing music, turning her online popularity into a more established professional career.

Tanzania: The Song That Expanded Her Career

In 2022, Uncle Waffles released “Tanzania” with Tony Duardo, Sino Msolo, and BoiBizza. The song became one of the defining releases of her early career and helped establish her as a recording artist as well as a DJ.

“Tanzania” gained popularity in South Africa and became a recognisable amapiano track. It reached No. 1 on South Africa’s relevant local and international streaming chart, according to published chart records, and later received multiple platinum certifications.

The song’s success extended her reach beyond audiences who first discovered her through performance videos. It also demonstrated her ability to participate in creating commercially successful music rather than focusing solely on live DJ sets.

“Tanzania” became closely associated with the rise of Uncle Waffles and remains one of the most significant releases in her catalogue.

Red Dragon EP

Uncle Waffles released her debut EP, Red Dragon, on 16 March 2022. The project expanded her musical catalogue following the growing attention surrounding her performances and “Tanzania.”

The EP features collaborations and production associated with Tony Duardo and other contributors. It reflects the collaborative nature of amapiano, where DJs, producers, vocalists, and musicians combine their skills to create dance-focused records.

Red Dragon helped establish a foundation for her subsequent projects and gave listeners more music to explore beyond her breakout single.

Asylum EP and Yahyuppiyah

In March 2023, Uncle Waffles released Asylum, her second EP. The project continued her exploration of amapiano and included collaborations with several artists and producers.

One of the best-known songs associated with the project is “Yahyuppiyah,” a collaboration involving Tony Duardo and Justin99, with vocals from Pcee, EeQue, and Chley.

The track became popular in South Africa and strengthened Uncle Waffles’ position within the amapiano scene. Its success reflected the effectiveness of collaborative releases that bring together DJs, producers, and vocalists with complementary styles.

Asylum also received recognition through music-industry certifications, further reflecting the commercial reach of her work.

Solace EP

Uncle Waffles released Solace on 11 August 2023. The project followed Asylum and continued the musical direction established in her earlier releases.

The EP includes “Echoes,” featuring Manana and Lusanda, alongside other collaborative tracks. Its contributors include artists and producers associated with the amapiano scene, such as Tony Duardo and Ice Beats Slide.

The project allowed Uncle Waffles to continue exploring different musical moods while retaining the rhythmic foundations of amapiano. It also demonstrated her ongoing development as a curator and recording artist.

Wadibusa and Her Continued Popularity

In 2024, Uncle Waffles released “Wadibusa,” a collaboration associated with Royal MusiQ and featuring performers including OHP Sage and Pcee. The song became another notable entry in her discography.

The release reflected the collaborative structure of amapiano, where a record can bring together several artists and producers. Its dance-oriented sound helped maintain Uncle Waffles’ presence in the South African music scene.

Her continued output demonstrated that her career was developing beyond the viral attention of 2021. She had established a catalogue of music and a performance identity that audiences could recognise.

4 Da Ho’s EP

On 6 December 2024, Uncle Waffles released 4 Da Ho’s, another project in her expanding discography.

The EP continued her involvement in amapiano and included music associated with the collaborative production culture surrounding her work. The project formed part of her ongoing effort to release new material while performing for audiences in different markets.

Her recorded projects and live DJ sets work together to strengthen her identity as a performer, allowing listeners to experience her music both through streaming services and at events.

Uncle Waffles’ International Career

As her reputation grew, Uncle Waffles began performing for audiences outside South Africa. Her music and performance style attracted attention from international listeners interested in amapiano and African electronic dance music.

International bookings and performances helped introduce her to audiences across Europe, North America, and other regions. Her rise also coincided with growing global interest in South African music and the international spread of amapiano.

Her performances often combine DJ mixing with dancing, creating an energetic stage presence. This combination has become one of the most recognisable features of her public image.

Uncle Waffles’ career illustrates how a DJ can build an international profile through a mixture of live performance, original releases, social media visibility, and collaborations.

Uncle Waffles’ Popular Songs

Uncle Waffles has released music both as a lead artist and through collaborations with producers, singers, and other DJs. Some notable tracks associated with her career include:

• Tanzania – Her breakthrough single with Tony Duardo, Sino Msolo, and BoiBizza.
• Yahyuppiyah – A collaboration with Tony Duardo and Justin99, featuring Pcee, EeQue, and Chley.
• Echoes – A track featuring Manana and Lusanda, associated with Solace.
• Peacock (Revisit) – A track featuring Ice Beats Slide and Sbuda Maleather.
• Wadibusa – A collaborative release associated with Royal MusiQ and other contributors.
• Zenzele – A collaboration involving Royal MusiQ and Uncool MC, featuring CowBoii and Xduppy.
• Hayi – A song by Felo Le Tee featuring Uncle Waffles.
• Ke Nakwela – A collaborative track associated with DJ Dadaman, Mellow & Sleazy, and other performers.
• Jaiva Phezkombede – A collaboration with Royal MusiQ featuring CowBoii.
• 2 Spin Jikeleza – A 2026 release associated with Focalistic and Shaunmusiq.
• Lwetse 2.0 – A collaborative release featuring Uncle Waffles and other artists.
• Taste – A single released in 2026.

Uncle Waffles’ EPs and Discography

Red Dragon (2022)

Red Dragon was released on 16 March 2022. It marked an important stage in Uncle Waffles’ development as a recording artist and followed the growing attention surrounding her performances and “Tanzania.”

Asylum (2023)

Asylum was released on 31 March 2023. The project included “Yahyuppiyah,” which became one of the notable songs associated with her discography.

Solace (2023)

Solace arrived on 11 August 2023 and continued her exploration of amapiano through a collection of collaborative tracks.

4 Da Ho’s (2024)

4 Da Ho’s was released on 6 December 2024, adding another project to her catalogue and continuing her work within the amapiano scene.

4 Da Streets! (2026)

In 2026, Uncle Waffles released 4 Da Streets!, a project associated with Royal MusiQ. The release continued her collaborative approach to amapiano and added to her more recent catalogue.

Uncle Waffles’ Musical Style

Uncle Waffles is primarily associated with amapiano, a South African dance music genre that blends house music influences with distinctive percussion, basslines, keyboard arrangements, and vocal elements.

Her DJ sets often focus on maintaining the energy of a crowd, combining carefully selected tracks with smooth transitions and expressive performance. Dancing is an important part of her style, helping make her sets visually engaging as well as musically driven.

Her recorded music reflects the collaborative nature of amapiano, with vocalists, producers, DJs, and instrumentalists contributing to different releases.

By combining music selection, performance, and dance, Uncle Waffles has developed a recognisable identity within the genre.

Uncle Waffles’ Record Label

Uncle Waffles has been associated with Kreativekornerr, the label credited on several of her projects, including Red Dragon, Asylum, and Solace.

Individual releases may involve additional licensing, distribution, or production arrangements. For the most accurate information about a specific track, its official streaming credits and release notes are the best references.

Uncle Waffles’ Awards and Achievements

Uncle Waffles’ career highlights include her rapid rise after viral performance videos in 2021, the commercial success of “Tanzania,” and her continued releases in the amapiano genre.

• Gained international attention through viral DJ performance videos in 2021.
• Released “Tanzania,” which reached No. 1 on a South African streaming chart.
• Received multiple platinum certifications for “Tanzania,” according to published South African music certification listings.
• Released the EPs Red Dragon, Asylum, Solace, and 4 Da Ho’s.
• Expanded her career through international DJ bookings and performances.
• Collaborated with several artists and producers in the amapiano scene.
• Continued releasing music in 2026, including the project 4 Da Streets! and new singles.

Uncle Waffles’ Net Worth

Uncle Waffles’ exact net worth has not been confirmed through reliable public financial disclosures. Figures published by celebrity websites should be treated as estimates rather than verified financial information.

As a DJ, producer, and recording artist, her potential income sources may include performance fees, music royalties, festival bookings, brand partnerships, and other entertainment projects. However, her actual earnings and assets are not publicly established.

It is more accurate to describe her as an internationally recognised amapiano performer than to assign an unsupported financial figure.

Uncle Waffles’ Personal Life

Uncle Waffles has shared some details about her upbringing and path into entertainment in interviews. She has discussed growing up in Eswatini, working in television, and developing her DJ skills before gaining wider recognition.

Although her public career receives significant attention, she does not disclose every aspect of her private life. Details about her current relationships and other personal matters should not be treated as confirmed unless supported by reliable reporting or her own public statements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Uncle Waffles

What is Uncle Waffles’ real name?

Her birth name is Lungelihle Zwane.

How old is Uncle Waffles?

Several published biographies list her date of birth as 30 March 2000, which would make her 26 years old in October 2026.

Where is Uncle Waffles from?

She was born and raised in Eswatini and later developed her professional music career in South Africa.

What is Uncle Waffles famous for?

She is known for her energetic DJ performances, dancing, amapiano music, and international performances.

How did Uncle Waffles become famous?

She gained widespread attention in 2021 after videos of her DJ performances went viral on social media.

What was Uncle Waffles’ breakthrough song?

“Tanzania,” released in 2022 with Tony Duardo, Sino Msolo, and BoiBizza, became one of her defining early releases.

What genre of music does Uncle Waffles play?

She is primarily associated with amapiano, a South African dance music genre.

Which EPs has Uncle Waffles released?

Her notable EPs include Red Dragon (2022), Asylum (2023), Solace (2023), and 4 Da Ho’s (2024).

Is Uncle Waffles a singer or a DJ?

She is best known as a DJ and performer, as well as a record producer and recording artist involved in collaborative music releases.

What is Uncle Waffles’ record label?

Kreativekornerr is credited on several of her releases. Individual tracks may have different licensing or distribution arrangements.

What is Uncle Waffles’ net worth?

Her exact net worth has not been verified in reliable public financial records.

Conclusion

Uncle Waffles’ journey from television presenter and developing DJ in Eswatini to an internationally recognised amapiano performer reflects her dedication to music, dancing, and live entertainment. Her viral breakthrough in 2021 helped introduce her to a global audience, while “Tanzania” and subsequent projects established her as a recording artist.

Through projects such as Red Dragon, Asylum, Solace, and 4 Da Ho’s, she has continued contributing to the growth of amapiano. Her combination of DJ skills, dance, and stage presence has made her a recognisable figure in the international expansion of South African dance music.