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- Dot Rotten death: Rapper and grime artist dies aged 37 (the-independent.com)
Grime Pioneer Dot Rotten, Known for “Overload,” Passes Away at 37
Joseph Ellis, better known to the music world as Dot Rotten, a foundational figure in the UK grime scene, has died at the age of 37. The circumstances surrounding his death have not yet been publicly disclosed by his family, who confirmed the news to the BBC.
Ellis, a celebrated artist, was recognized for his 2012 hit “Overload,” which climbed into the Top 20 singles chart. Throughout his career, he collaborated with notable artists including Ed Sheeran, Cher Lloyd, Chip, and D Double E.
Born Joseph Ellis, he first emerged as Young Dot, releasing a 2007 mixtape that garnered him a nomination for the prestigious BBC Sound of 2012 prize. He was nominated alongside future stars like Frank Ocean and Azealia Banks, with Michael Kiwanuka ultimately taking home the award.
Beyond his solo work, Ellis lent his talents to various projects, making guest appearances on Ed Sheeran’s 2011 track “Goodbye to You” and Cher Lloyd’s “Dub on the Track.” He also contributed to the 2011 Children In Need charity single “Teardrop,” collaborating with Gary Barlow to help it reach number 24 on the UK Singles Chart.
After his 2014 album Interview, Ellis adopted the stage name Zeph Ellis, shifting his focus to instrumental projects. Under this moniker, he produced the instrumental “XCXD BXMB,” which was later featured on Kano’s “Garage Skank” and AJ Tracey’s 2015 song “Naila.” His last musical release was the self-released mixtape 808s and Gunshots in 2020.
Tributes have poured in from across the music industry. Music manager Bouncer Play Dirty expressed his condolences on Instagram, stating, “Thoughts go out to his family.
RIP to the brother.” British rapper Sway also shared his sadness, writing, “Very sad news.
Sleep well Dot.” Even Wiley, who reportedly had a long-standing feud with Ellis, posted a video of one of Ellis’s instrumentals accompanied by a dove emoji as a sign of respect.
Grime artist DJ Logan Sama delivered an emotional statement, highlighting Ellis’s “talent in abundance.” Sama emphasized, “His impact on the scene was not just as a brilliant artist but also the guidance and inspiration he gave to hundreds of other aspiring creators around him. Never, ever received the accolades or rewards for his craft that it deserved.”
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- Dot Rotten death: Rapper and grime artist dies aged 37 (the-independent.com)