TikTok, a video sharing social media application, has become increasingly popular over the past years. With the user-friendly app design that allows for endless scrolling, I often spend hours on TikTok without realizing it. TikTok also adapts to the user’s previous likes and the time they spend watching certain videos, so everything I see is catered to my interests. Regardless of algorithm, however, users with varying interests tend to see the same viral videos. Whether it’s a delicious recipe or dancing influencers, these videos appear on the recommended page– coined the “For You” page– for almost everyone. Naturally, the content and creator of that video will become popular. However, the interface of TikTok causes the sound, or music, of that video to go viral too. With so many TikTok users, the music in these viral videos has weaved its way into almost every viewer’s playlists and trending music charts.

When I look at my friends’ playlists and see songs from the most recent TikTok trends, I realize I have become accustomed to it. It’s just popular music, and so many people like listening to these songs for a reason– the songs are just so catchy! However, when I see people getting upset that their friends only listen to TikTok songs, I simply can’t understand why the source of the music matters. I also see this issue when the fans of music artists who go viral overnight (because of TikTok) have a superiority complex. They feel they are morally superior to new fans because they don’t solely listen to the songs of an artist that randomly went viral on TikTok. When a TikTok using a lesser-known song goes viral, I see the comment section being flooded with the original fans of the song’s artist wishing that TikTok never brought the song to light, and how they hoped it could’ve stayed unknown. TikTok is known for its ability to bring massive amounts of popularity to any artist with songs used on viral videos. Shouldn’t fans be happy that their beloved artist is gaining attention? It feels like people dislike those with the TikTok music taste just so that they can gate-keep their favorite artists.

I don’t think anyone is special for liking certain music; it’s unfair to perceive people differently for the music they like or gate-keep songs out of selfishness. Artists like Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Chase Atlantic already have millions of listeners across several streaming platforms. When one of their hidden songs goes viral, it’s not like people have never heard of them; it’s just that several thousand listeners get added to their current millions. At the end of the day, it’s just music that people enjoy, made by artists who enjoy their craft. People should be able to listen to music without backlash and incessant judgment online. There’s nothing wrong with liking popular music, and no one should judge someone’s music taste either.