Ever had a chat with someone and somehow a conversation about your favorite artist comes up, and they make you feel like you aren’t a real fan? They might tell you it’s because you don’t know all their songs by heart or that you’ve never seen them perform live or know the nitty grittiest details about their life like who they are dating, early life etc, in an attempt to diminish the love you have for that individual artist.
This infamous phenomenon is called “gatekeeping”, and it’s hurting music lovers and the music industry as a whole everywhere. The other way it manifests is in not posting/ sharing about certain deep cuts (songs of an artist that may not be as popular, in that it gives those who know them a sense of being “real day one” fans).
Some music lovers use gatekeeping as a defense mechanism, especially when new fans appear in the rearview. While it’s perfectly okay to be passionate about your favorite musician, this passion can become destructive.
On rare occasions, some music enthusiast involve in the gatekeeping culture out of the desire to keep things dear to them safe and true. In this case, it is the joy they get from being the few who know these gems of artists/ songs.
With the rise of more and more underground genres like alte´ and artists like Odeal, gate keeping is such a norm. I myself are guilty of gate keeping in the past, because of the bragging rights one can feel or get when an artist they alone have been listening to eventually blows up. It is a portrayal of one being with exquisite taste in music.
The commonest and biggest perpetration of gatekeeping in Africa is on social networking platform X (former Twitter). One case is on how OG fans of Wizkid always slam those who have become fans cuz of songs like “Essence”, “Daddy Yo”, and “Joro” among others, for not being there and knowing Wizkid’s craft at the times he debuted on the scene with the album “Superstar” which had one of his most celebrated tracks to date “Holla at Your Boy”, and other later releases such as “Ojuelegba” and “Joy”.
Gatekeeping “Hidden Gems” in Music has far reaching effects on not just the fans, the artists but the consequences are equally hitting the music industry as a whole.
Let’s admit it, it feels really good and almost magical when you stumble upon a rare, special artist whose music feels like it was made just for you, could be perhaps because the music streaming algorithm suggested them amidst your listening session, or they could have reached out directly to you, and you like you like what you are hearing. At the moment, they could be less popular, not charting, or aren’t everywhere, and in that quiet space, the connection feels intimate; almost secret. It’s so tempting to keep that artist to yourself, to gatekeep, because part of the joy is in feeling like you’re the only one who “gets it.” The harsh truth of the matter is that that “gatekeeping” could end up hurting the very artists you claim to love, and here is how:
1. It blocks them from their real audience. Music is meant to be shared. Behind every song is an artist trying to reach people who resonate with their story, who need those words and sounds to feel less alone. By keeping them hidden, you’re stopping them from connecting with the very people they’re creating for.
2. It stunts their growth and opportunities. Every listener has the potential to be a bridge. Sharing a song could put it in front of a booking agent, a playlist curator, or even just one more fan who becomes a lifelong supporter. Gatekeeping keeps artists trapped in a small bubble, robbing them of the opportunities they need to sustain their careers.
3. Still in the same vein; Gatekeeping also blocks their revenue. As we would understand streaming revenue remains a greater contributor of any artist’s earning. Meaning the more monthly listeners and people stream the artist’s music, the more they make dimes from their music. This means that when you gatekeep or make noise about their work, and only keep their music and name closeted, you indirectly block them from potential fans who could turn into long terms listeners, hence affecting their revenue base.
4. It reinforces the myth that only numbers matter. We complain that the industry overlooks talented creators for hype-driven names, but when we refuse to shout about our discoveries, we’re part of that same cycle. Artists with world-class talent remain obscure simply because no one is amplifying them loudly enough to be noticed.
5. It denies the culture its future icons. Every superstar was once an underground act passed from hand to hand. Imagine if early listeners of Burna Boy, SZA, or Tems had hoarded them as “personal secrets.” Music culture thrives because people share their finds, not because they hide them. By gatekeeping, we’re slowing down the very evolution of sound.
6. It’s isolating for the artist. Behind the scenes, many artists battle self-doubt. When their art doesn’t seem to spread, they can feel unseen, questioning if their work is worth it. Sharing their music isn’t just promotion; it’s validation, a way of saying: “Your voice matters, and I believe others need to hear it too.”
I like how Odeal put it in this post when he spoke to the harm fans who gatekeep artists cause. He wrote:
If I had a pound for every time someone said they’re gatekeeping me… I could finally pay those bills 🧾 https://t.co/539KQkxxvC
— ODEAL (@iamodeal) August 1, 2025
The conversation as unfolded in the comments section further speaks to the very point I am trying to put across.
Saying you are “gatekeeping” artists is basically you saying you don’t want them to grow, why would you not want more people to listen to them so they can afford to keep making more music you like??? pic.twitter.com/97iQW45LFn
— 𝐻𝒾𝓂𝓎𝓃𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓈𝓅𝑜𝑜𝓀𝒾𝑒🩷 (@Pookie_Minajj) July 30, 2025
There are no rewards for being the first to discover an artist, rather, put them out there, connect with others who enjoy that genre of music or artist(s), form a community and keep it going. That’s how the artist artist grows, that way they are able to dish out more and more tracks, expanding their catalogue and also keep you entertained. It is a win – win situation in the end. The alternative to gate keeping is making noise/ amplifying your favorite artists and below I explain why:
Why We Should Normalize “Making Noise” About the Artists We Love
Celebrating a hidden gem loudly is an act of service; both to the artist and to the culture. When you share, repost, recommend, or even just mention them in conversation, you give them visibility that algorithms or industry gatekeepers may never offer.
And when these artists win, when they build a fanbase, book shows, get recognition, it creates a ripple effect. Their success lights the way for others like them who are equally talented but sidelined because they “don’t have numbers.” Each cosign, each repost, each shoutout is a step toward breaking that cycle.
So yes, enjoy your little gem privately. But don’t hoard them. Don’t dim their light just so you can feel like the only one basking in it. The true joy is in watching them shine so brightly that the world finally sees what you saw first.
After all, if their art changed your world, imagine how many others it could change too. In the spirit of now gatekeeping, share with me at least 3 unknown artists who you know are super talented and the world deserves to hear their sound (in the comments section) or on social. I am @Mugibson on all platforms.
I have written this piece, together with Gideon (aka Gydeaon on social media), the Founder and Creative Director at Revo Universe, a Music Experiential Community. Go check him out for some interesting music insights.