Rapper and producer Dot Rotten passes away at 37
British musician Dot Rotten, known for his influential presence in the grime scene before transitioning to mainstream success, has passed away at the age of 37. The artist, whose real name is Joseph Ellis-Stevenson, reportedly died in the Gambia as confirmed by his family to the BBC.
Growing up in south London, Ellis-Stevenson started his musical journey at a young age, releasing his debut mixtape, This Is the Beginning, in 2007 when he was still a teenager. He quickly gained recognition for his skills as a beat-maker in the thriving grime scene, producing tracks like Petrol Bomb and Bazooka that became popular choices for MCs. In addition to his acclaimed Rotten Riddims series, he released several other mixtapes showcasing his talent.
Aside from his production prowess, Rotten also showcased his skills as an MC, fearlessly engaging in confrontational tracks that stood out in clashes with artists like Wiley, P Money, JME, and Stormzy. His career took a new turn when he signed with Mercury Records in 2011, securing spots on Ed Sheeran’s No 5 Collaborations Project EP the same year and contributing to the charity single Teardrop in support of Children in Need. In 2012, he was nominated for the BBC’s Sound of … poll and achieved his solo Top 20 hit, Overload, a track blending dubstep elements with a sample from Robert Miles’ trance classic, Children.
Despite his initial mainstream success, Rotten’s debut album with Mercury did not achieve commercial acclaim, leading him to part ways with the label and adopt the artist name Zeph Ellis. He redirected his focus to production work, resulting in the creation of instrumentals like XCXD BXMB, which was utilized by Kano for the hit song Garage Skank, and his contributions to Nines’ Top 40 hit, I See You Shining.
Following the news of his passing, fellow British rapper Lady Leshurr paid tribute to Dot Rotten, expressing shock and sadness over the loss. In a heartfelt message, she referred to him as a “GOAT” (greatest of all time), honoring his legacy within the music industry.