"It's officially a tradition now." So declared/warned Slug of Atmosphere this morning on 89.3 the Current, announcing the third annual installment of the Welcome to Minnesota tour, a five-city trek coming to the far corners of our fine state in early March with special guest Brother Ali. This will be the first time Atmosphere and Ali have been on tour together stateside in several years. The tour will also feature the Get Cryphy DJs, Carnage and newbie Haphduzn. Tickets go on sale Friday at 11 a.m and, as Slug rightfully warned, "They're probably going to sell out before my uncle can get tickets." Here are the dates:

March 1: Bemidji, Sanford Center.
March 2: Duluth, Clyde Iron Works.
March 3: St. Cloud, Red Carpet Lounge
March 4 Mankato, Verizon Wireless Ballroom
March 5: Minneapolis, First Avenue

Check www.Rhymesayers.com for show-by-show ticket info.