Pioneering musician Dot Rotten has died at the age of 37. The star's family confirmed the news to the BBC but they did not issue a cause of death. However, online reports have suggested he was found dead in Gambia. The star, who was born Joseph Ellis in Stockwell, London, became known for the distinctive sound he created and throughout his career, he worked with names such as Chip and D Double E to Cher Lloyd and Ed Sheeran.

He began his career at the age of seven, rapping and making his own music on an Atari computer system. His first mixtape, This Is the Beginning, was released in in 2007, under the name Young Dot. Just a year later, he adopted his Dot Rotten moniker, which was an acronym for "Dirty on Tracks, Righteous Opinions Told to Educate Nubians", with more than a cheeky nod to June Brown's iconic EastEnders character, Dot Cotton.

One of his most iconic tracks was 2012's top 20 single Overload. He said the song's lyrics were inspired by his experiences with "a major depression", and he claimed to have free-styled it rather than conventionally writing it. It's not the song I wanted to come out with, but it's done a lot, and I appreciate all of the feedback I've been getting from it," he told Clash magazine.

He also released his debut album, Voices In My Head, that year, and for his efforts, he was nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2012 prize. Despite this critical acclaim, the album stalled outside the Top 100, amid a dispute with his record label.

More recently, he had taken to working behind the scenes as a producer for artists including Kano and AJ Tracey under the name Zeph Ellis.

Tributes flooded in for the star as news of his death became public. "One of the goats for sure. Always find myself going back to his pre-2010 collabs/releases, RIP Young Dot," one fan penned on Facebook.

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Another added: "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! Rest In Peace Zeph Ellis aka Dot Rotten."

A third chimed in: "Genuinely in shock and gutted about this easily in my opinion 1 of the best ever to do it and the most Underrated rapper ever. Genuinely influenced me so much."

A fourth shared: "What a talent! We’ve met a few times and you were always kind. Imma bump R.I.P Young Dot in your memory." A fifth lamented: "Too soon life really is precious, enjoy each day the good days the bad days, we just don’t know how long we have, love your people love your memories, rest in peace Dot."

Meanwhile a sixth recalled: "R.I.P legend brings back memories of the old school days bluetoothing on my old sony erricson and busting out the dot rotten instrumentals those was the days."