Thanks to social media, today’s day and age is filled with gatekeepers who feel the need to keep new food, music or even clothing designers a secret in order to be cool or want to know about something most people don’t. The most annoying gatekeepers are those who don’t reply when asked or say “if you know, you know.”
Music is a universal language and is definitely one of the last things that should be gatekept, but people still continue to do so. Personally, I feel that gatekeeping is very annoying and unnecessary because people are bound to find out one way or another, especially with the type of exposure that the music industry gets due to social media.
I understand those who want to feel like pioneers of certain movements or trends, but there is no need to be rude or a jerk about it. Just pay it forward and make someone’s day by exposing them to something new.
“Whenever someone takes it upon themselves to arbitrate authenticity, deservedness or inclusion within the music world, it usually is because they are envious and it often comes down to what somebody is making per hour,” said Sean O’Connell, a music history professor at Long Beach State.
One specific memory that I have about gatekeeping is when I first started listening to punk rock and didn’t know much about it. I remember my father giving me a shirt with the Circle Jerks logo on it in middle school and going to the skatepark only to be asked “Can you name three songs? If not why are you wearing that.” I was pretty embarrassed and as a result, went home to Google as much information as possible. After that I was ready for any and all questions regarding the band and their music.
The only good thing that comes out of gatekeeping are memes and even they can get very tiresome and repetitive.
“Music school is quite the opposite, we just throw random names of pieces out at people that need music or like something to play or listen to and whether they pick up on that is on them,” said Jared McCarthy, a fourth-year brass performance major. “I love exploring new stuff, like if it expands my taste and broadens my palette then I’m totally down for it.”
People should be able to feel comfortable with asking questions when they are genuinely interested or intrigued by something they see. There is no need for someone to be embarrassed to explore or find new information out. After all we’re humans and life is a learning experience.
“An incoming freshman in the Bob Cole Conservatory knows more about music than the average person walking around the street and there is some pride in making that hip listenership more and more exclusive,” said O’Connell.
“The key to finding happiness is embracing that desire not to keep the precious gem for yourself but let everybody see its radiance. The sooner you do that, the better,” he said.