By Gcwalisile Mhlabane (Intern)
MBABANE – Redefining the boundaries of music and fashion!
Eswatini born Dj and Amapiano star, Lungelihle Zwane, widely known as Uncle Waffles, is redefining the boundaries of music and fashion on global stages. From her viral beginnings to gracing some of the world’s most prestigious stages and publications, Uncle Waffles’ influence continues to grow exponentially.
Recently, she made waves at the Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring-Summer 2025 fashion show, held in Paris on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, under the creative direction of Pharrell Williams.
In May 2025, Uncle Waffles received a BET Award nomination for Best International Act, competing against prominent artists like Tyla, Rema, and Ayra Starr. This recognition highlights her cultural impact and the global success of her music, cementing her as one of Africa’s brightest stars.
At the Louis Vuitton show, Uncle Waffles stunned in loose-fitting brown trousers, a crisp white shirt, and a sleeveless jumper, a look that flawlessly blended streetwear with high fashion. Her signature short, curly blonde hair added a touch. Sharing her experience on Instagram, where she boasts an impressive 3.1 million followers, she captioned a video montage from the event, “If you like it, get it twice. Thank you for having me again.”
Her music career is just as inspiring as her fashion endeavors. Uncle Waffles’ journey began with a viral DJ set in Soweto that caught the attention of global audiences, including rapper Drake. Recognized as the “Princess of Amapiano”by Billboard, she has since performed at iconic events like Coachella and Afro Nation, collaborated with international artists, and graced the covers of major magazines.
Uncle Waffles’ latest hit, “Zenzele,”featuring Uncool MC, Royal Musiq, CowBoii, and Xduppy, has taken the world by storm. Released as part of her 4 Da Ho’s EP in December 2024, the song has amassed over 9 million Spotify streams and inspired over 300 000 TikTok creations. The recently released music video adds another layer of artistry to this global hit.
Her hit single “Wadibusa,” featuring Ohp Sage, Pcee, and Djy Biza, released in April 2024, has surpassed 35 million views on YouTube, further showcasing her global appeal. Meanwhile, her track “Yahyuppiyah” remains her most-streamed song on Spotify, solidifying her as one of the most influential figures in Amapiano.
Uncle Waffles, remarkable achievements have earned her recognition from leading publications such as Rolling Stone, Forbes, CNN, Variety, The New York Times, and Complex UK.
In February, she graced the Valentine’s Day cover of Rolling Stone Africa, further cementing her position as one of Africa’s most influential musical talents.
The “Princess of Amapiano” continues to inspire and elevate African music and culture to unprecedented heights.
(Courtesy Pics)
