“Before we get this started, let me explain it. It’s Ruff Draft. For my real niggaz only … Sound like it’s straight from the ma’fuckin’ cassette! … Let’s do it.”

… Thus begins Ruff Draft. These self-produced tracks make up one of the late J Dilla’s least known works during his lifetime. Released on vinyl only in February 2003 this sought-after release was elusive and virtually unknown to the casual Dilla fan until Stones Throw’s reissue in 2007. Recorded in the wake of a failed deal with major label, Dilla returned to solo recordings as a fiercely independent artist with Ruff Draft. The CD contains photos from this era and detailed liner notes by Ronnie Reese discussing Dilla’s career in 2002 when Ruff Draft was recorded.

Tracks on this disc were taken from J Dilla’s original master tapes, where additional previously-unreleased tracks “Wild” and “Take Notice” were also discovered.