With his smash debut, The College Dropout, still the red-hot #2 album in the country, Kanye West is packing up his Benz with backpacks and bear suits to embark on his first headlining tour.
The seven-week trip begins March 16 in Blacksburg, Virginia, on the campus of Virginia Tech University. The college dropout will be visiting several campuses along the way, wrapping things up with three nights in his hometown of Chicago on May 5. Thirty-four dates are scheduled, including two shows on the night of April 17 -- one in Washington, D.C., and one in Columbia, South Carolina.
Los Angeles hip-hop crew Dilated Peoples will open for Kanye, who recently produced the track "This Way" for their upcoming Neighborhood Watch.
Kanye West tour dates, according to his spokesperson:
3/16 - Blacksburg, VA @ Virginia Tech University 3/17 - Norfolk, VA @ NorVa Theater 3/18 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club 3/20 - Union, NJ @ Kean University 3/22 - New Haven, CT @ Toads 3/23 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium 3/25 - Providence, RI @ Rhode Island College 3/26 - Toronto, ON @ Docs 3/27 - Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field 3/28 - Milwaukee, WI @ Rave 3/29 - Minneapolis, MN @ Quest 4/1 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox 4/3 - San Francisco, CA @ Grand Ballroom 4/4 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues 4/5 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues 4/6 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues 4/8 - San Diego, CA @ 4th & B 4/9 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues 4/10 - Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee 4/11 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater 4/12 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore 4/14 - St. Louis, MO @ Pageant 4/15 - Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room 4/16 - Detroit, MI @ State Theater 4/17 - Washington, DC @ George Washington University 4/17 - Columbia, SC @ 3 Rivers Festival 4/18 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues 4/23 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory 4/24 - Storrs, CT @ University of Connecticut 4/29 - New York, NY @ Pace University 4/30 - Bowie, MD @ Bowie University 5/3 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues 5/4 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues 5/5 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues 
