During the late '90s and early 2000s, the Southampton-based duo Artful Dodger, consisting of Mark Hill and Pete Devereux, gained recognition for their unique approach to garage music. They blended R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and house influences while sticking to a traditional production style that avoided time-stretching and emphasized re-recording vocals for remixes. Their track "Re-Rewind (The Crowd Say Bo Selecta)" featuring Craig David earned them acclaim in the UK and caught the attention of Republic Records in the US, leading to a successful introduction of garage music to American audiences.

Artful Dodger's momentum continued with the release of mix albums and extensive tours, culminating in the duo parting ways in July 2001 on good terms. Post-split, Hill focused on writing, producing, and remixing, while Devereux pursued a DJing career under his own name, highlighting their individual contributions to the music industry beyond their collaborative success.