On March 20, 2026, I got to see one of my favorite artists of all time and have been chasing that high ever since. Before I get into describing my amazing night filled with fun, high energy and great music, I have to introduce the man who made it all happen — Jordan Ward.

Jordan Ward is an alternative R&B and Hip Hop artist from St. Louis, Mo. He is known for his combination of intricate vocal performances and upbeat rapping, creating a widely-appealing and refreshing sound. At just 31 years old, he has worked very hard to make a name for himself and is steadily climbing the ranks of the music industry.

Interestingly, making music was not Ward’s initial focus. He actually began his career as a background dancer for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Justin Bieber, Usher, Janet Jackson, Prince and Beyoncé.

It wasn’t until years after I fell in love with his music that I watched Beyoncé’s “Homecoming” Coachella performance on Netflix and saw a younger Ward, with significantly shorter hair, dancing alongside her.

Despite his busy schedule as a touring dancer, Ward began to set time aside to focus on his own music career between dancing gigs. He released both his first single, “Tapas” and his first EP, “A Peak at the Summit,” in 2017. Although I still appreciate his earlier work, the songs that skyrocketed his career did not come out until the early 2020s.

His 2021 single, “Lil Baby Crush,” quickly became one of his most popular songs and launched him into the public eye. It was only up from there and Ward has been on a generational run ever since.

Between his 2023 release of what I would consider his most popular song, “WHITE CROCS (with Ryan Trey)” — which earned him a special shoutout from Tyler, The Creator — and the success of his debut album “FORWARD,” Ward quickly became a popular underdog in the music scene.

Now, we are in the midst of a new Jordan Ward era following the release of his latest album, “BACKWARD.” In my opinion, it’s the perfect continuation of the momentum he built with “FORWARD,” featuring tracks that range from upbeat hits perfect for dancing to ballads that’ll leave you teary-eyed. 

While “FORWARD” broke down Ward’s roots and where he came from, “BACKWARD” allowed fans a glimpse into who he is at his core, including his insecurities, regrets and mistakes.

This brings me to his current tour — “THE APARTMENT TOUR.” The name comes from Ward aiming to make the show feel like he was inviting all of us into his apartment — a promise he definitely delivered on. 

The stage was set up like a living room while Ward sang and danced around it all night like a little kid putting on a show for his family. From the minute he touched the stage to when the lights went up at the end, it truly felt like we were one big family.

The Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia provided the perfect intimate and cozy atmosphere to complement the homey feel of the show. Although I love my more well-known artists, I adore the closeness that comes with attending concerts held in theaters rather than arenas or stadiums.

The show was sold out and packed to the brim with attendees. The venue only offered standing and balcony options, so for less than $100 for two tickets, I got to spend my time in the pit, mere feet away from Ward with dozens of other fans.

I would say I enjoyed myself, but that would be an extreme understatement — I had one of the best nights I have had in a long time. He sounded amazing and his live vocals proved to be equally as good, if not better than his recorded ones.

His energy kept the crowd wrapped around his finger as we returned the same love we felt him pouring out to us throughout the night. Not to mention, he is probably the cutest 31-year-old man I’ve ever seen and is absolutely stunning, especially when he finally let his long dreadlocks fall out of the oversized striped beanie he wore for most of the show.

He even brought a few guests with him: his opener, Nali, whom I knew a few songs from and really enjoyed, along with surprise guest Destin Conrad, who performed his popular song, “KISSING IN PUBLIC,” as the crowd went absolutely wild.

My favorite songs of the night were “HIGH FUNCTIONING,” “Lil Baby Crush,” “TAKE-OUT,” “CHERIMOYA,” “WHITE CROCS,” “THEMSELVES,” “FAMJAM4000,” “CHAMPION SOUND” and “Y.”

Overall, Jordan Ward is an outstanding performer and puts on an amazing show. I had honestly forgotten just how much I love him and his music until he was standing right in front of me. My only regret was not getting meet-and-greet tickets when I had the chance, so that I could tell him just how much his music has helped me get through these four years of college. However, it’s definitely on my radar for next time. 

I’m tempted to gatekeep so that I can keep him in my little bubble of niche artists forever, but as a huge music-lover, I can’t with a good conscience continue to let y’all miss out on such a wonderful artist. If you’re looking for a charismatic, handsome and versatile R&B artist to add to your playlist, Jordan Ward is your guy.