When 24-year-old Thembi Seete, better known by her stage name Uncle Waffles, took the stage at the Brooklyn Mirage this past weekend, she made history as the first Black woman to headline the iconic New York venue.
Having received accolades and riding on the wave of electronic music, the Amapiano star and Swazi DJ quickly became one of the most exciting new voices in electronic music.
“I can’t express how grateful I am,” Uncle Waffles wrote on Instagram following her groundbreaking performance. “Thank you New York for helping me create history despite the weather.” The young DJ also expressed gratitude to Amazon Music for helping her share this milestone with the world.
Uncle Waffles’ journey to the Brooklyn Mirage stage has been nothing short of meteoric. Born in Swaziland(now Eswatini) and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, she first gained attention in 2021 with her energetic Amapiano mixes that showcased her technical skills and infectious enthusiasm. Amapiano, a style of house music that originated in South Africa, has exploded in popularity worldwide in recent years.
In a year, Uncle Waffles has gone from a relative unknown to one of the most in-demand DJs on the international music scene. Her first major breakthrough came when a video of her playing at a small club in Pretoria went viral, racking up millions of views on Twitter (X). This led to a list of high-profile gigs, including a performance at the Afronation Festival in Portugal.
However, Uncle Waffles’ headline slot at the Brooklyn Mirage may be her most significant achievement yet. The open-air venue, located in the heart of New York City, is known for hosting some of the biggest names in electronic music. For a young, Black female artist to top the bill is a powerful statement about the changing face of dance music.
“To the @brooklynmirage, thank you for being so amazing and choosing me,” Uncle Waffles wrote in her post. Her words reflect both her gratitude and the significance of her selection, as a woman of color breaking through in a genre that has historically been dominated by white men.
Uncle Waffles represents a new generation of artists who are challenging the status quo and redefining what dance music can be. With her infectious energy, technical prowess, and unique style, she has – in her way – made the Women, Africa, and the Black community proud.
