Fave App Turns Fandom Into a Competition, Gets Label Support

Fave is a new fan engagement app that gamifies fandom, letting users compete to become top superfans of artists. Some major record labels are now investing in Fave as it reimagines fan loyalty.

The Fave app tracks users’ fandom by awarding points for streaming, attending shows and events, and other fan activities. Users move up ranks from ‘Fan’ to ‘Verified Superfan’ based on accumulated actions.

Top superfans then earn rewards like merch, tickets, experiences, and more from artists. Fave essentially fosters a competition around who can be the most dedicated supporter.

Music has seen fan engagement enhance streaming and sales. Fave aims to take that further by quantifying fandom into status and exclusivity.

For artists, it promotes committed fandom and creates new revenue streams. Fans can buy and resell tickets through Fave with the artist getting a cut. Users can also sell homemade merch, and creators opt-in to earn 10% of sales.

Founder and CEO Jacquelle Amankonah Horton said Fave’s “laser focus on empowering superfans” has led to “groundbreaking” partnerships with major music companies.

Backers include Warner Music, Sony Music, YouTube Global Head of Music Lyor Cohen, and former Spotify VP Shiva Rajaraman.

Rajaraman praised Fave’s plan to “put fans first while making it easy for creators to engage.” Warner and Sony’s support signals major label interest in Fave’s fan-centric approach.

Fave is currently raising a $6 million funding round, having secured $2 million so far. The funds will develop new tools for fan engagement and artist monetization.

Some planned additions hinted at include an AI-powered suite for artists to identify and target top superfans. Fave also looks to pioneer “more meaningful ways for fans to come together” online and IRL.

Founder Horton said entertainment now recognizes superfans’ importance to longevity. “They are turning to us as the experts” in maximizing fandom.

Fave is betting on superfans’ value by quantifying their support into a loyalty competition. The app could increase sales and exposure for artists leveraging its features.

But it also raises questions around potential gatekeeping of access and commercializing fan relationships. Maintaining an authentic connection will be key.

As the music industry heads more towards direct fan monetization, expect more tech and data-driven fan engagement. Fave aims to lead that charge by making fandom a measurable sport.

Whether you find competition healthy or not, Fave’s label support indicates their model has serious potential. We’ll be watching how the platform evolves fan loyalty and empowers artists.