Storymode Bae Interview: Dream Con 2025

Storymode Bae, Streamer and Creator

Streamer and creator Storymode Bae explores her path from early streaming days to leading one of Dream Con’s standout events. She reflects on her love of music, storytelling in games, and the creative evolution behind Bae Brigade Battles and her growing role in the wider entertainment space.

Interview and photographs by Asa Featherstone, IV

Do you have a top-three story-based game?

Yes, but it changes all the time. In order, probably GTA: San Andreas, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Little Nightmares. But I also love Telltale’s The Walking Dead and What Remains of Edith Finch. See, that’s already five. I can’t ever stick to just three.

When did streaming start to feel like a career?

Not for a while. I started on YouTube in 2017, and six months in, I realized editing wasn’t for me, and moved to Twitch in 2018. It didn’t feel real as a career until early 2020. It took a while to even wrap my head around the idea.

As your following’s grown over that time, what do you think draws people in?

Honestly? I don’t know. I ask myself that every day. But I’m super appreciative. I think I just try to be myself—goofy, silly, using lots of music references, consistently bad gameplay for games I never finish. I just try to keep it authentic.

Music seems to be a big part of that.

It’s interesting because I didn’t intend for it to be that way, but music has always been part of my life. My dad introduced me to rap and hip-hop early, and my mom had me on R&B. I was burning mix CDs on Napster when I was like eight or nine. I literally can’t go a day without music.

And now you’re sharing music live onstage with Bae Brigade Battles. How’d that start?

During the pandemic, me and the Bae Brigade would watch music battles on stream and dream up matchups. Eventually, we decided to do our own battles in early 2023. I think our first one was Women of R&B, then Beyoncé vs. Usher, Drake vs. Lil Wayne, Dirty South Classics, Funk Classics… and right before the beef, we did Drake vs. Kendrick. It was a total coincidence, I swear.

So, you might’ve started the beef?

Haha, maybe! But seriously, Dream Con and RDC gave me the space to try this live, and I’m super grateful. Our first in-person battle was Dream Con 2023. I always say, “If five people show up, I’m happy.” But the way people have shown up and embraced it? Unreal.

It’s a main event now for a lot of folks!

And that’s nuts to me!

What keeps you coming back to Dream Con?

It’s cheesy, but it feels like a family reunion. You can fully be yourself here. People feel safe in their cosplay, in their fandom, in who they are. You don’t have to code-switch or shrink yourself here—it’s a cool place to be.

Outside of Bae Brigade, what’s been a highlight at Dream Con this year?

I’ve already checked off my dream moments. We interviewed Meg Thee Stallion last night, chatted with Leon Thomas this morning, and I had a convo in the Green Room with cast members from The Boondocks. I’m good!

Are there any dream collaborations still on your list?

I wanna work with Beyoncé.

Whoa!

I wanna work with Andre 3000, Kendrick Lamar. I want to keep blending music and content. I think my big goal is bridging gaming and entertainment, because people don’t just love one thing. There’s so much crossover, and I want to live in that space.

I love that. People try to put creators in a box. You’ve clearly resisted that.

Thank you. I’ve been that way since I was a kid. I get bored doing the same thing. I never want to box myself in—and I don’t think anyone else should have to either.

Incredible. Thank you.