A Conversation with Jordan Ward: Music, Dance, and Artistic Vision

Interview and Performance Featuring Jordan Ward at NextNOW Fest

Written By Hannah Lee

Jordan Ward is an emerging name in the R&B/hip-hop world, receiving high praise for his most recent album FORWARD and embarking on his first headlining tour last year. Born and raised in St. Louis, Ward is no stranger to the music scene, with an impressive background in the arts. Surrounded by musical influence growing up—from tracks played by his family to his time in musical theater and eventually touring as a background dancer—he has honed a unique artistic identity.

Ward defies boundaries and blurs the lines between genres and forms of creativity, treating different art forms as intrinsically intertwined. It’s clear that Ward knows who he is, both as a musician and as a person, with a refreshing confidence rooted in gratitude.

Jordan Ward joined NextNOW Fest as part of their incredible lineup this past weekend. Before his performance, he shared insights into his musical journey, future plans, and some fun personal tidbits.

WMUC: You have an extensive background in dance. Do you find that this experience impacts the way you approach writing and composing music?

JW: For sure. I feel like dance is an extension of music; it's a lot like playing an instrument. Understanding dance composition is very parallel to music composition. Even though it's not exactly the same and doesn’t cover all the same bases, it's still like putting art on a canvas. There’s no dance without music. They both feed into each other.

WMUC: Is there a specific dance form that comes to mind?

JW: I mean definitely hip-hop. I consider myself a hip-hop artist even though I be singing and doing different types of music. I feel like I'm still inspired by hip-hop culture, and hip-hop dance definitely gave me that foundation. That ear. That groove. And just all the styles—contemporary, jazz, ballet, musical theater—I grew up doing musical theater, so tap for sure. 

WMUC: You’ve collaborated with incredible artists like Joony and Ryan Trey. If you could collaborate with anyone in the future, who would it be?

JW: I’d love to collab with Veeze, Erykah Badu, SZA would be cool, or Earl Sweatshirt.

WMUC: You've talked about your love for both music and dance, but is there another art form or creative outlet that you’d like to explore more in the future?

JW: I mean, I do a little bit of it now. I wouldn’t necessarily fully call myself a creative director, but just creative direction in general is very interesting to me. Also, things like building installations and interior design—stuff like that.

WMUC: I saw your NPR Tiny Desk performance, where you mentioned growing up watching it and how surreal it was to be on it for the first time. Would you consider that one of your "I’ve made it" moments, or is there another moment that stands out?

JW: Man. You know, I don’t really like to ever think that I’ve made it. Especially because, in this present moment I definitely have things that I still need to do. But it definitely was a reminder to just enjoy the journey. I definitely will say it was me living my dreams. You know, like, me living the dreams that I had as a younger kid. I can definitely say I got to experience that, and I’m grateful for that. 

WMUC: Is there a future goal or performance you’re eager to tackle?

JW: Coachella would be sick.

WMUC: You’ve traveled a lot for music and touring. What’s one city or country where the music scene really surprised you, in a good way?

JW: I wouldn’t say it surprised me. I wasn’t unaware, but it still was surprising to see and experience. Johannesburg, South Africa, is crazy. Their music scene and music fans are incredible—people really care. The DMV is also pretty raw.

WMUC: Your album FORWARD is an homage to family. How does your family influence your music beyond just being a theme in your lyrics?

JW: Well, I mean, my family was influencing the music I listened to, coming up all the time. Whether it’s my mom bringing me to church. I’m hearing gospel every week. I’m hearing gospel in the car. Or whether it was my big cousins playing, you know, Lil Boosie, Lil Webbie, Yo Gotti. You know what I’m saying. Or whether it was my grandpa playing Anita Baker and like jazz and stuff like that. 

WMUC: That's awesome. It's cool how those artists are so different, but you can hear their combined influence in your music. Now, we have some fun rapid-fire questions if you're up for them.

JW: Cool. Let’s do it.

WMUC: One song you can’t stop playing lately?

JW: "Sorry Not Sorry" by Lil Yachty and Veeze.

WMUC: Comfort food?

JW: Chicken wings.

WMUC: First thing you do after a show?

JW: Hydrate.

WMUC: Favorite spot in St. Louis?

JW: South City. Southside. 3rd District. That’s where I’m from, where I grew up.

WMUC: Are you a morning or night person?

JW: I’m up all hours of the night and day, but I prefer getting things done in the morning.

WMUC: Go-to hype song before performing?

JW: Right now, it’s "Ganger" by RRoxket.

WMUC: Who would play you in a movie about your life?

JW: What’s his name? Michael Scott from The Office. Steve Carell.

WMUC: If you could live in any era of music history, which would it be?

JW: This one, for sure.

WMUC: Any reason why?

JW: It’s the best one ever. It’s the best day ever.