It was at a Missy Elliott gig that 13-year-old Ashley Charles’s fate was sealed.
 

“Durin’ the middle of her show Missy asked ‘can anyone in the UK rap’? Suddenly I found myself blaggin’ my way to the front, climbing on stage and grabbing the mic.
 

“I just went for it, Brixton Academy went wild. It was incredible, Missy spoke to me after the gig and said, you know what, this is what you were meant to do, stick at it. She must’ve had a crystal ball, cause I was born to do this, I was born ready.“
 

Indeed it seems that mystic Missy’s prophesy might’ve been right. Fast forward 11 years and Ashley Charles, better known as her stage name Amplify Dot, is hot property.
 

Touted as the British alternative to rap superstar Nicki Minaj because of her lyrical stylings, she’s signed to EMI, got a clothing line called Quiff Heads, and has just returned from Majorca and Ibiza, where she supported Rizzle Kicks.
 

Amplify Dot has also released a new single featuring none other than the legendary Busta Rhymes and if that wasn’t enough, she’s embarked on a UK club tour – in fact she’ll be spitting rhymes at Watford Oceana on Saturday.
 

It’s been a steady rise for the talented south London born rapper, who many regard as the new Ms Dynamite, and regularly features in ‘ones to watch’ lists.
 

“My uncle David is to blame. His version a babysittin’ was to put me in front of the VHS tape of Salt ‘n’ Pepa, so by the age a six I knew all the songs and dances,“ says Dot, in her thick south London twang.
 

“Those early days of irresponsible babysittin’ is what led to me wantin’ to be a musician. So I just ran with it, it was somethin’ I was doin’ in my freetime, at any opportunity.“
 

Citing Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill, Lisa Left Eye Lopes from TLC and Eminem among her musical influences, some commentators have referred to Dot as a rapper for Stooshe fans – a label she says she’s comfortable with.


One thing she is adamant about though, is that her lyrics are observational and reflect issues in today’s society. 
 

“When I make music I definitely hav’ me at da core. I rap ‘bout a wide range of fings, I don’t hav’ a manifesto, but I take from everyday experiences.
 

“One of my tracks, Kurt Cobain (written on the anniversary of his birthday coincidentally), is ‘bout bein’ sucked into various vices, whevva dat be boozin’, drugs or partyin’.
 

“But I like da idea of creatin’ rap dat’s accessible, dat your mum won’t tell you to switch off.
 

“As for my latest song with Busta, it was amazin’ to work with him. I met him before as a fan, at a gig six years ago.
 

“I wrote I’m Good without him, thought it was tailormade for his sound, sent it over and the next thing I know, he’s on da phone.


“He’s speakin’ to me as if I’m his peer, it’s surreal,“ says Dot excitement rising in her voice. Suddenly her south London lilt has disappeared, momentarily making way for a strong American accent as she recalls what the celebrity rapper said to her: “Heyyyyyyyyyy Dotttt, how dya wanna make this sound?
 

“I’ve got Busta askin’ me ‘bout music? He can’t ask me that“, splutters Dot, “He’s Busta! I tell you, it’s Missy all over again, I’m still starstruck.“
 

Amplify Dot is at Watford Oceana, The Parade, Watford  June 21.

Details: www.oceanaclubs.com