Dot Rotten’s relatives have issued a heartfelt statement following the death of the artist, whose real name was Joseph Ellis-Stephenson.

The statement reads:

“Dear Family and Friends,

Many of you may be aware of the passing of our beloved Joseph Ellis -Stephenson, also known as the music artist, producer and lyricist Dot Rotten, on March 8th in The Gambia.

Due to Jo’s unexpected passing, it was not possible to organise the traditional nine-night or make any other arrangements for the matter.

We have received, and continue to receive an overwhelming number of queries, tributes, and messages of love and support. We are deeply moved and truly grateful.

Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to individual messages or calls at this time. We kindly ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate this difficult period.

Thank you for your continued patience, love, and support.

The Ellis Family”

The reference to a traditional nine-night reflects a key mourning custom within Caribbean culture, a gathering typically held over nine nights following a death, where family, friends and the wider community come together to pray, share memories, celebrate the life of the deceased and support one another through grief. In this case, the family explained that the sudden nature of his passing meant they were unable to carry out these customary arrangements.

Dot Rotten rose to prominence in the early 2010s, during what is widely considered a defining era for UK grime and rap music. Emerging from London’s underground scene, he quickly built a reputation as both a gifted lyricist and an accomplished producer, known for his sharp pen, emotive delivery and melodic sensibilities.

His influence extended beyond his own releases, with his sound helping to shape the evolving identity of grime as it began to cross over into wider mainstream recognition. He became known for fusing gritty, hard-edged production with more melodic songwriting, creating a style that resonated with both core grime audiences and new listeners discovering the genre.

Throughout his career, he worked alongside major figures in UK music, including Ed Sheeran and Wiley, often credited as the “Godfather of Grime”. These collaborations highlighted his versatility and ability to move between underground sounds and mainstream appeal with ease.

At the height of his early career, Dot Rotten’s music gained strong traction on pirate radio stations, online platforms and within grime’s dedicated fan base, helping to push the genre forward at a time when it was rapidly expanding its reach both in the UK and internationally.

As tributes continue to grow, his family have returned to their message of thanks, expressing appreciation for the love shown while asking for privacy as they grieve and navigate their loss.