Uncle Waffles Makes History As First Black Woman To Star In Brooklyn Mirage

Uncle Waffles continues to elevate Amapiano to the world stage, making history as the first black woman to headline the iconic Brooklyn Mirage on August 17th. The electrifying DJ, originally from Swaziland and based in South Africa, captivated the crowd with her electrifying dance moves, innovative set designs and vibrant sound. Her fiery performance was amplified by renowned Soulection DJ Andre Power and Amapiano heavyweights 2woBunnies, who transformed the night into a pulsating, non-stop dance party where Uncle Waffles’ infectious energy captured the crowd’s attention.

A genre rooted in South African music tradition, Amapiano fuses African rhythms with house, Afrobeats and hip-hop, resulting in a sound that is uniquely South African, yet resonates across continents. It’s a genre built on movement, with many of the standout tracks relying on their addictive BPMs and captivating choreography rather than vocals.

Her 90-minute set was a spectacle of music, rapid-fire dancing, and next-level production. She started the night with the fan-favorite “Tanzania” from her 2022 breakthrough project, Red room. Waffles danced behind the decks as her dancers seemingly appeared out of nowhere amidst a haze of smoke and pyrotechnics. What made the performance even more special was that each dancer was given the chance to be the center of attention and be celebrated by the audience. Yet Waffles never lost her focus and remained the undisputed star of the show. Highlights of the setlist included her worldwide hit “Yahyuppiyah” and TitoM, Yuppe and Burna Boy’s remix of the crossover track “Tshwala Bam.”

For an artist who rarely uses vocals in her music, Uncle Waffles’ message is loud and clear through her movements and stagecraft. The LED backdrop displayed fiery imagery, likely inspired by her 2023 project Asylumand later switched to playful graphics featuring giant waffles floating against a pastel pink background.

Her groundbreaking Brooklyn Mirage show follows a standout set at AfroNation Detroit earlier this month and her Coachella debut in 2023. Brooklyn Mirage has been home to concerts from David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, and Thundercat, making her headline set as a Black woman in the dance world even more notable. With co-signs from Drake, Pharrell, and more, Uncle Waffles is on her way to becoming a global megastar.