Wiley leads tributes to grime MC Dot Rotten, who has died at age 37

Grime pioneer Dot Rotten has died at the age of 37, with Wiley among those paying tribute.

This morning (Monday March 9), social media was flooded with reports the rapper – real name Joseph Ellis – had died, although they remained speculative until his family confirmed the news to the BBC this afternoon.

At the time of writing, no details of the surrounding circumstances have been shared, although online reports appeared to suggest he had died in Gambia.

Tributes have poured out, with Wiley among the first to report the MC and producers’ passing in a post shared to his Instagram page.

“Very sad news. Sleep well Dot,” wrote Sway, with KWest adding: “RIP one of the greatest to do it.”

Taking to Facebook, DJ Michael Hall wrote: “We have lost a genuine friend, brother and one of the best to ever do it ! My thoughts are with you and your family D. Mr Joseph Ellis Stephenson AKA DOT ROTTEN THE ABSOLUTE GOAT ! THIS WORLD IS SUCH A CRUEL PLACE AT TIMES!”

Unfortunate reports emerged this morning that grime artist and producer Dot Rotten, real name Joseph Ellis-Stephenson, has passed away.

He was widely recognised as one of grime’s early pioneers, known for his work as both an MC and producer during the genre’s formative years.… pic.twitter.com/DUDbSIQKOV

— GRM Daily (@GRMDAILY) March 9, 2026

Similarly, fans took to social media to express their shock and pay tribute, with one describing him as a “pioneer, an incredible producer and a cold spitter”, as well as “intelligent beyond his years too”.

“The more I think about it, the more upset I get,” shared another. “RIP The Grime God…fuck man, no words.”

The MC and influential producer was first known as Young Dot, having burst onto the scene with his 2007 debut mixtape ‘This Is the Beginning’ and later signing to Mercury.

He rose to prominence in the early 2000s-2010s, with his distinctive sound blending gritty beats with emotive writing. He worked with the likes of Chip, D Double E, Cher Lloyd and Ed Sheeran throughout his career, and scored a Top 20 hit with his single ‘Overload’ in 2012 – the same year he was nominated on the BBC Sound Of poll for 2012.