#TBT: 7 Dot Rotten Songs You Should Revisit

We shine light on the old gems you might have missed when they were released.

dot

None

dot

Giving Prince a run for his money in the name-changing stakes, Zeph Ellis, fka Dot Rotten, previously Young Dot, has spent the last eight years executing an extravaganza of grime production classics, paralleling his point-blank lyrical assassinations on every track he puts his assured voice box to. Aside from his many mixtapes, as both an MC and producer, Dot has also blessed us with an intense internet footprint of freestyles—from radio and specials, to infamous battles.

This 2007 freestyle shows the former OGz member staring blankly at the camera spraying fire for days. A year later, Dot was found tearing Logan Sama's youngers set to shreds, throwing out lines like: "Try eat me in E3? I'll pull out the streezy and make you Es-ki-mo dance." And, who could forget his skippy freestyle over "Gucci Mane's "Lemonade"? Or his memorable Volume Control murkage? A few wrong turns with major labels hasn't tarnished Dot Rotten's legacy; to this very day, his old work still amazes. 

"Dirty South Salute" (2007)

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

"Show them man deh that you're not shook..."

Taken from Dot's debut tape, This Is The Beginning, "Dirty South Salute" could regularly be heard at the back of the bus blasting from someone's Nokia 7600, with synchronized gun-fingers flowing along to the chorus. From "Cats On My Line" to "Over & Over", the whole set is a minefield of energy that can only be summed-up as aggressive ambition.

"Real Talk" (2007)

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Any track that samples Sega's Shinobi III: Return Of The Ninja Master is a winner. "Real Talk" demonstrated Dot Rotten's evolving production abilities—as well as his distinctive storytelling. You'll rarely hear the emcee discussing any gossip or sticky topics in interviews; instead, he puts all of his views and opinions into the music. This particular cut is the first time Dot fully opened up about the incident with his old crew members, Essentials' Remerdee and DJ Bossman. And, for good measure, he even throws a little jab at Wiley.     


"I don't wish I could find me a spaceship and fly, that's a waste man ting

I wish that I could finally make it and say goodbye

But I can’t do that until grime blows

I produce better than Wiley and all those other producers

With my eyes closed"

"I'm Talking The Hardest" (2008)

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

When Dot released his R.I.P Young Dot mixtape, some were worried he was going to leave that raw energy behind him. But, with this amped-up cover of "Talking Da Hardest"—​Giggs' street anthemhe hammered the last nail in the casket on all those rumours.  

 

"I'm A Proffesional" (2009)

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Dot's self-released album, Something Out Of Nothing (S.O.O.N), came with a few experimental gems"I'm A Professional" being just one of them. Produced by Rude Kid, the self-explanatory track was also one of the first examples of Auto-Tune being used in the grime arena. Originator, much?

"Wooo Report" (2010)

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

2010 was the year of S-X's "Wooo Riddim", so it was only right Dot got in on the action with his confident narratives. On "Wooo Report", the MC addressed his dispute with Wolf from Hoodstars, sending sly shots at P Money and Wiley (again) in the process. 


"Thought I got rushed by 10 of your EN-emies

Then I found out they were 10 of your friends

That’s some snakey shit

After that experience with the man dem being in Hoodstars made me sick

Man watched me get rushed, pulled out the popcorn and watched me get up

I was major pissed"

"Young Dot Resurrected" (2011)

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com


"Brudda man, I beg you don't get rude

You're only mad cos you found out your dad's a wanker

And you come from a test tube

Bootleg my tunes, you'll get slewed

Wearing a hoodie don't made you hood

So don't come to me with your bad boy attitude

Chances are I'll rip you in two

Leave you in a grave like Tutankhamun" 

Need we say more?

"Microphone" (2011)

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Above The Waves EP was a mature and focused Dot Rotten. While the beats were more subdued, this was some of his most balanced work yet. From "People You Know" through to "Normal Human Being", he shared himself with his fans like never before—"Microphone" being a clear standout. 


"Everybody talks to me

Tells me their opinion and basically reports to me

About how they think things ought to be

Because I bring people in

When I'm around, I bring the vibes and I’m like sing people sing

But I don’t say a word

And some express themselves to me and lie so much

But their waste of breath ain't helping me"

Latest in Music