Gatekeeping is defined as the effort to stop the general public from liking or identifying with a specific subject.

This phenomenon is found all over the music community and TikTok.

Music lovers can be found complaining on TikTok about their favorite artist achieving more fame and garnering attention from the public.

The reason for this varies but mostly it’s because it messes with their own sense of individuality.

“I think it’s wrong to be a gatekeeper. You are negatively impacting the artist by keeping their music from growing,” junior Chianne O’ Beirne said. “Of course you aren’t obligated to share their music, but if you really care and love them as an artist; you should support them and not be selfish.”

Sophomore Haley Waughtal agreed with O’Beirne.

“It’s annoying. Just let people live their life,” Waughtal said.

Senior Jordan Parcell wants to clarify the meaning of gatekeeping.

“It’s not actually gatekeeping if it is saying like, ‘hey don’t appropriate my culture,” you know,” Parcell said.