Jackie Art Proves His Hustle with Fierce New Anthem “Playground Rules”
Bold, unfiltered, and unapologetic, Jackie Art steps into the spotlight with “Playground Rules”, the first single from his upcoming EP Reminder (out October 24). Fresh off being named one of the Top 20 most compelling Calgarians by the Calgary Herald in January 2025, Jackie continues to bridge two worlds in his music — the raw grit of his London, UK roots and the drive of his Canadian come-up.
“Playground Rules” hits like an anthem, packed with sharp bars and a hook built for resilience: “Get knocked down, watch me get back up / Homie ten toes tough.” Produced by Rajah Beats, who has crafted tracks for the likes of Chris Brown, Tory Lanez, Dave East, and many others, the song showcases Jackie’s lyrical ferocity, grime-infused delivery, and unshakable spirit, making it both a personal statement and a universal rallying cry.
“‘Playground Rules’ is intended to be a view into my experience as a rapper, the bravado; the boisterousness of it all,” says Jackie. “I’m using my POV to tell the audience what my hustle has been like.”
Jackie has been steadily building his sound, performing locally, and gaining recognition along the way. In Fall 2024, he took home 3rd prize in Canada’s Walk of Fame Emerging Artist program — a milestone that reflects his dedication and growing presence in the music scene.
With each release, Jackie is carving out a reputation as more than just a rapper, but a cultural voice for resilience and ambition. His music connects the underground energy of grime with the hunger of Canadian hip hop, positioning him as an artist unafraid to take risks, push boundaries, and represent where he comes from.
For Jackie Art, music isn’t just for playlists — it’s survival, ambition, and connection. With “Playground Rules” setting the tone, Reminder is ready to show the world why he’s one of Canada’s most exciting emerging voices, determined to grind, shine, and leave a lasting mark.
Review
“Playground Rules,” is fueled by relentless energy and massive ambition. It’s fueled by non-stop energy, making it clear from the jump that failure simply isn’t an option.
The build-up is the engine, establishing that classic comeback narrative (“Get knocked down / Watch me get back up”) and setting a gritty, loyal tone with the “ten toes tough” attitude. The title is perfect because it immediately transports you to that high-stakes, fight-or-flight energy. The subsequent main refrain pulls back just enough to acknowledge the difficulty of the path (“Hard to walk a straight line”), but the focus remains clear: he’s not taking a break and he’s claiming what’s his.
Lyrically, the verses document a relentless journey from the struggle to success. Verse 1 sets the tone by claiming the throne—from a grim origin (“I came from the dirt”) to the lavish payoff (“ice on my neck… Lamborgini whipping”)—with a nod to Big Poppa. Verse 2 then turns the lens on the haters and hangers-on, powerfully calling out fake friends and rejecting any form of distraction, confirming his persona as an unstoppable force on the grind.
Every element of the track, from the deep loyalty to his crew to his refusal to stop, delivers one clear message: this is what happens when ambition meets destiny. It’s built to motivate and demands a repeat listen.