Grime pioneer and rapper Dot Rotten has died aged 37.
The musician – born Joseph Ellis – was best known for his 2012 hit “Overload” and had worked with Ed Sheeran, Cher Lloyd and Chip and D Double E.
The circumstances around Ellis’s death are yet to be disclosed publicly. His family – who confirmed the news to the BBC – are yet to share details.
The music star has been credited as a pioneering talent within the UK Grime scene in the early Noughties. He began his rap career as Young Dot, releasing a 2007 mixed tape that was nominated for the BBC Sound of 2012 prize.
He was nominated among the likes of Frank Ocean, Azealia Banks and Michael Kiwanuka – who ultimately took home the award.
Ellis teamed up with TMS for his single “Overload”, which made it into the Top 20 singles chart in 2012.
During his career, he made guest appearances on Ed Sheeran’s 2011 track “Goodbye to You” as well as Cher Lloyd’s “Dub on the Track” and Children In Need charity single “Teardrop” that same year. He joined forces with Gary Barlow to create the latter, making it to number 24 on the UK Singles Chart.
After releasing his last album, Interview, in 2014, Ellis adopted the stage name Zeph Ellis and began working on instrumental projects. He produced the instrumental “XCXD BXMB”, which was used on Kano’s track “Garage Skank” and AJ Tracey’s 2015 song “Naila”.
The last music to be released by Ellis was his 2020 self-released mixtape, 808s and Gunshots.
Music manager Bouncer Play Dirty paid tribute to the rap star on Instagram, writing: “Thoughts go out to his family. RIP to the brother.” While British rapper Sway wrote: “Very sad news. Sleep well Dot.”
Wiley, who is said to have feuded with Ellis over the years, also paid his respects for the rapper, posting a video of one of his instrumentals with a dove emoji.
Meanwhile, grime artist DJ Logan Sama shared an emotional statement, describing Ellis as having “talent in abundance”.
“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,” he added. “Never, ever received the accolades or rewards for his craft that it deserved.”
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