Zeph Ellis

Joseph Daniel Joel Ellis-Stephenson (19 October 1988 – 8 March 2026), better known by his stage names Zeph Ellis and Dot Rotten, was a British MC, rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer from Lambeth, South London. After leaving the major label, he released several independent EPs and projects. Later he changed his name to Zeph Ellis and focussed on producing.

Ellis was known for having introduced various sampling techniques to grime production, and creating the style of singing hooks on grime tracks. These styles can be heard throughout his discography from the early Young Dot era to his later projects under the Zeph Ellis moniker.

Life and career Early life Ellis was born in London, England on 19 October 1988.

2004–2008: Early career and first name change Ellis began rapping at the age of seven, using an Atari model as a basis for music production. Under the name 'The Collective', Rotten appeared as one of many artists assembled by Take That member Gary Barlow, which included Chipmunk, Wretch 32, Mz. Bratt, Labrinth, Rizzle Kicks, Ed Sheeran, Ms. Dynamite and Tulisa Contostavlos. The single, which was performed both at Children in Need 2011 and Children in Need Rocks Manchester in November 2011 debuted at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart; "Overload" debuted at number fifteen on the UK chart, also debuting at number three on the R&B chart. His debut studio album, Voices in My Head, was released in the United Kingdom on 6 May 2013. Despite the successful singles, due to issues with the label, the album was neglected by Dot himself and it only managed to chart at number 146 on the UK Albums Chart. A free mixtape entitled Throwback Music was released soon after, consisting of songs that didn't make the final cut of the album.

2013: Interview and name change After leaving his label deal, Minfection EP was released in January 2014. Ellis then proceeded to put out his self-released album Interview featuring artists including Sickman, Stylo G, Lady Leshurr and Abel Miller.

Taking a break from rapping, Ellis changed his stage name to Zeph Ellis and focused on production, releasing various instrumental projects including the This Side of Grime series. He produced an instrumental titled "XCXD BXMB" which featured on the fabriclive.83 mix CD. It was used as the basis for Kano's "Garage Skank" from Made in the Manor, and AJ Tracey's "Naila" from the Alex Moran EP. Ellis also produced Jammer's 2016 single "Dagenham Dave".

Death Ellis died suddenly in The Gambia, on 8 March 2026, at the age of 37.

Discography

Studio albums Title Album details Voices in My HeadReleased: 6 May 2013 Label: Mercury/Universal Records Ltd. InterviewReleased: 13 July 2014 Label: Minarmy Free download

Mixtapes

Title Mixtape details This Is the Beginning(as Young Dot)Released: 2007 Label: Self-released Rotten Riddims, Volume 1(as Young Dot)Released: 1 June 2008 Label: GPP Records Rotten Riddims, Volume 2(as Young Dot)Released: 9 June 2008 Label: GPP Records Rotten Riddims, Volume 3(as Young Dot)Released: 16 June 2008 Label: GPP Records Rotten Riddims, Volume 4(as Young Dot)Released: 23 June 2008 Label: GPP Records

Title Mixtape details Rotten Riddims, Volume 5(as Young Dot)Released: 30 June 2008 Label: GPP Records Rotten Riddims, Volume 6(as Young Dot)Released: 7 July 2008 Label: GPP Records R.I.P. Young Dot(as Dot Rotten)Released: 14 July 2008 Label: GPP Records Something Out of Nothing (S.O.O.N)(as Dot Rotten)Released: 2 November 2009 Label: Self Released Extra Attention(as Dot Rotten)Released: 21 December 2009 Label: Self Released Throwback Music(as Dot Rotten)Released: 11 March 2013 Label: Self Released Rotten Riddims, Volume 7(as Dot Rotten)Released: 20 May 2014 Label: Self Released 808s and Gunshots(as Dot Rotten)Released: 6 January 2020 Label: Self Released

Extended plays Title EP details Above the WavesReleased: 14 June 2011 Self-released MinfectionReleased: 7 January 2014 Self-released Remember MeReleased: 5 December 2014 Self-released Spotified MineReleased: 21 July 2017 Self-released No L'sReleased: 22 September 2017 Self-released

Singles Single Year Peak chart positions AlbumUK UKR&B SCO "Keep It on a Low" 2011 70 32 — Voices in My Head "Are You Not Entertained?" 2012 53 21 76 "Overload"(featuring TMS) 15 3 20 "Karmageddon" 67 — — "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist Single Year Peak chart positions AlbumUK "A Star" (Early B featuring Dot Rotten) 2008 — — — "Teardrop"(as part of The Collective) 2011 24 7 30 "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

Music videos This list is incomplete Song Year Director References "Normal Human Being"2011 Luke Monaghan + James Barber "I Want To Annoy"Quason Matthews+ Joseph Ellis "Speeding By" (with Mz. Bratt) "Teardrop" (as part of The Collective) Ben Vertex + Ben Leinster "Keep It on a Low" Luke Monagan + James Barber "Dub on the Track" (with Cher Lloyd, Mic Righteous + Ghetts) Paris Zarcilla "Are You Not Entertained"2012 Adam Powell "Understimated" Jamal Woon + Joseph Ellis "Overload" Quason Matthews "Overload" (Remix) Saoud Khalaf + Charlotte Regan

Awards and nominations Year Organisation Award Result Ref. 2011 BBC Sound of 2012 Sound of 2012

Tours No More Idols Tour (2011) (as supporting act) Cole World... World Tour (2011) (as supporting act) Dappy Tour (2011) (as supporting act)