I enjoy artistry in everyday life: from the music I listen to, to the way I style my outfits. My mom has always told me I have my own sense of style and my music taste represents how I am an old soul. Yet, I was once told that I could not possibly be a real fan of Fleetwood Mac just because I knew a few of their songs and did not listen to their underground tracks before the lead singer, Stevie Nicks, helped make their big break.
It surprised me that the band has amassed 50 million listeners on Spotify and produced “Rumors,” one of the best selling albums of all time, but they were deemed to be too niche for me to enjoy. Thanks to gatekeeping, my appreciation for artistic expression has turned into a competition.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, gatekeeping is often seen as the activity of trying to control who gets particular resources, power, or opportunities, and who does not. In other words, having a shared interest with another helps strengthen connections, but can ultimately lead to an imbalance of power and poses the question of who can play the role of “biggest fan” better.
Music, fashion and online games are all subcultures that are growing and changing, yet are subjected to gatekeeping. Although artists sell merchandise, clothing prices are skyrocketing and video games have their fair share of in-game purchases, the access to enjoying these things do not have a price tag.
Gatekeeping can creep its way into the clothes people wear everyday. While social media can be responsible for spreading artwork such as music and fashion, it can also be held accountable for the competition it creates between these communities.
Fashion should be looked upon as a form of expression. Gatekeeping is not always intended to create competition, but also labelling. The whole point of fashion is breaking free of labels, so if I choose to wear sweatpants one day, it does not mean I have to stick to one clothing aesthetic decided for me by Pinterest.
Not only can gatekeeping be found in this reality, but also in virtual ones, like in the award winning game Minecraft. According to the Guinness World Records, Minecraft has become the top selling video game, gaining over 350 million units sold and even its own live action film in April 2025.
To be a “true fan” of Minecraft in modern gaming communities, hardcore survival strategies and skill are prioritized, and playing without them comes with criticism. On the other hand, many online users argue that it is better to play in peaceful or creative mode to expand the aesthetic usage of the game. Yet, if Minecraft is considered a sandbox game, where one can turn their imagination into reality, there should be no rules to brain power and curiosity.
Gatekeeping can be heard in music, seen in imaginary realities and can even judge one’s sense of style. It spreads like wildfire and can even reveal the true colors of people who consume the same media as you. However, there are no rules or limits to being interested, and no fan is ever superior.
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