Another form of the hardstpe style that emerged was jump-up. The likes of Shy-fx / Dj Hype / Aphrodite and many others began to produce a more friendly style of drum&bass that was both quite hard and dancefloor friendly. Hip-hop crossovers are quite common here but still keeping the underground feel.
Some might say that SOME of this music was getting a bit too friendly bordering on cheesy, but whatever sells, sells.