Rapper Dot Rotten, born Joseph Ellis, has died aged 37. Dot Rotten emerged as a pioneering voice in the UK Grime scene, gaining recognition for his 2012 hit single “Overload” and collaborations with artists including Ed Sheeran, Cher Lloyd, Chip, and D Double E.
Ellis’s family confirmed his death to the BBC, but details surrounding the circumstances have not been made public. His passing marks the loss of a figure widely regarded for shaping the sound of UK rap during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Starting his career as Young Dot, Ellis released a mixtape in 2007 that earned him a nomination for the BBC Sound of 2012 prize, positioning him alongside names such as Frank Ocean, Azealia Banks, and Michael Kiwanuka. While Kiwanuka ultimately won, Ellis’s nomination underscored the early recognition of his talent.
His single “Overload,” produced in partnership with TMS, reached the Top 20 on the UK singles chart in 2012. Beyond his own releases, Ellis contributed to other artists’ work, appearing on Ed Sheeran’s 2011 track “Goodbye to You” and Cher Lloyd’s “Dub on the Track.” That same year, he collaborated with Gary Barlow on the Children In Need charity single “Teardrop,” which peaked at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart.
Ellis continued to release music independently, with his last project being the 2020 mixtape “808s and Gunshots.” Throughout his career, he earned respect for both his lyrical skill and his influence on the grime genre, helping to expand its reach and presence in mainstream British music.
Tributes have poured in following his death. Music manager Bouncer Play Dirty wrote on Instagram, “Thoughts go out to his family. RIP to the brother.” Fellow British rapper Sway added, “Very sad news. Sleep well Dot.”
Dot Rotten’s death highlights the fragility of a generation of artists who transformed UK music, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and collaboration that shaped a sound still celebrated today.
