Why Rieko Safiyya Didn’t Release Her New Single on Spotify

Why Philadelphia Artist Rieko Safiyya Didn’t Release Her New Single on Spotify

Philadelphia artist Rieko Safiyya didn’t release her latest single on Spotify—and that decision was entirely intentional. Known for her lyric-driven sound and emotionally resonant songwriting, Rieko chose to share her new single, Treasure, exclusively through her own website. The song opens with the line, “So you say X marks the spot,” but it isn’t about fairy-tale endings or fleeting infatuation. Instead, Treasure explores the deeper, more complicated aspects of love—the kind that calls for self-reflection, growth, and returning to what truly matters.

This track is a continuation of Rieko’s commitment to writing only from lived experience. It’s honest, intentional, and personal—qualities that often go unnoticed on streaming platforms dominated by algorithms and short attention spans. For Rieko, the choice to release Treasure outside of Spotify and Apple Music wasn’t just about distribution. It was about value.

“I wanted this release to feel intentional,” she explains. “Streaming doesn’t reward meaning—it rewards volume. But that’s never been what my work is about.”

Artists like Rieko pour time, money, and emotional energy into their craft, only to earn pennies from platforms that prioritize clicks over connection. By releasing Treasure as a direct digital download, Rieko is inviting her listeners into a more meaningful exchange—one that honors both the music and the artist behind it.

This isn’t just a song—it’s a quiet act of resistance. A reminder that music made with care deserves to be supported with care. “When someone chooses to buy a song directly from me,” Rieko says, “it’s more than a purchase. It’s a statement.”

Treasure is available now at iloverieko.com as a digital download. With this release, Rieko Safiyya continues to carve out a lane defined by purpose, depth, and independence—proving that sometimes, the most powerful moves are made outside the mainstream.