Saul Williams may be one of the few people on this planet who makes a living off poetry. Whether it be through his mind rattling books, his legendary slam poetry sessions back in the 90s or through his industrialized hip hop records, he really is one of the strongest voices of our generation.

That being said, it wasn’t much of a surprise when he followed Radiohead’s lead and released his latest record The Inevitable Rise And Liberation of Niggy Tardust on the internet, allowing listeners to name their own price.

Niggy Tardust (an album Saul refers to as the lovechild of himself and “big brother” tour mate Trent Reznor) already appears to be his most brilliant effort thus far. Now, it looks like Williams is planning an upcoming Tar Spangled Banner Tour.

Saul writes on his myspace:

The Niggytardust concept sets me free to do more on stage with costume, etc. than one might expect from a regular Saul Williams show. It allows me to put my theatre training to use. I’ve also thought long and hard about all the discussion surrounding racial epithets etc. and chose this title as a means of furthering the dialogue while also showing how creativity will outlive and outshine hatred of any kind.

I’m also collaborating with visual artists and designers as part of the whole NiggyTardust concept and presentation. Melody Ehsani designed Tardust jewelry, bracelets, rings. necklaces, etc. and also did the cover layout. Angelbert Metoyer has contributed greatly to the visual aesthetic with paintings and soon to be finished set design for the shows.

Stage costumes and set designs? The man on his own with just a mic and a couple of outrageous metaphors is mind blowing-- so this tour undoubtedly is going be cool as hell. And it just may be the last time you’ll see him at a small venue.

New dates just announced:

MARCH
12 SXSW, Austin, TX
13 SXSW, Austin, TX
17 Plaza Club, Vancouver BC
18 Aladdin, Portland, OR
19 Neumo's, Seattle WA
21 Slims, San Francisco, CA
22 Club Mercy, Santa Barbara, CA
24 Casbah, San Diego, CA
25 Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA
26 Clubhouse, Tempe AZ
27 Chandler Gilbert Community College, Phoenix AZ **[spoken word]
28 Estrella Mountain Community College Phoenix AZ **[spoken word]
29 Launchpad, Albuquerque, NM
31 The Loft, Dallas TX

APRIL
01 Warehouse Live Studio, Houston TX
03 The Parish, New Orleans LA
04 The Loft, Atlanta GA
06 Ramshead, Annapolis MD
07 930 Club, Washington DC
08 Paradise, Boston MA
09 Irving Plaza, NY NY
11 Trocadero, Philadelphia PA
12 Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
13 La Tulipe, Montreal QC
14 Mod Club, Toronto ONT
16 Blind Pig, Ann Arbor MI
17 Grog Shop, Cleveland OH
18 Martyrs, Chicago IL
19 Varsity Theatre, Minneapolis MN
21 Fox Theatre, Boulder CO
22 Belly Up, Aspen CO
23 Kilby Court, Salt Lake City UT