Standing behind a microphone can change a person into someone completely different.

For Swartz Creek sophomore Dan Radatz, that transformation has a soundtrack.

As his alter ego, “DJ Dan,” Radatz has sent dancers into a frenzy across the state.

“Most of my friends will tell you when I’m on the mic, I speak totally different than what I’m like in real life,” he said. “My voice changes and my whole persona changes.”

Radatz will be in charge of getting the crowd on its feet at Friday’s International Dinner and Discotheque at Calkins Hall.

After DJ-ing his middle school talent show and gaining his DJ Dan moniker, Radatz began to buy his own equipment and play at local gatherings.

“It got me into the cool parties,” he said. “Plus, I made a little spare change on the side.”

As his reputation and bank account grew, Radatz began upgrading to the professional light and sound setup that make up his performance today.

“It’s a great source of income because I work minimal hours and get amazing pay for it,” he said.

Radatz has filled venues from pole barns to nightclubs.

He also has been a guest DJ at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio, which Radatz says is the biggest event he has performed. DJ Dan played music for the people waiting in line for rides during Fourth of July weekend, the park’s busiest time.

“I had people in the queues on a 98-degree day dancing around and enjoying themselves instead of just sitting in the queue,” he said. “That made me kind of feel good.”

Years of experience as a DJ has taught Radatz what songs get people on the dance floor.

“I’m not going to lie,” he said. “It’s either the B-52’s ‘Love Shack’ or the ‘Cha Cha Slide’ … The songs may be uncool, but as far as getting people on the floor to dance, if you play one of those songs, people will get out there.”

Radatz calls “mash-ups” his favorite genre of music. This genre normally combines the music from one song with a cappella lyrics from another to create a pleasing hybrid.

Aside from listening to mash-ups, Radatz has created several of his own. He said it takes him an average of eight to 10 hours to create one remix.

“It’s a lot of work, but they’re professional quality remixes,” he said.

Though they do not receive much mainstream attention, mash-ups have a wide audience.

“I like it and listen to it,” said Freeland sophomore Devin Delgado. “I think it’s really cool when two different genres combine their music.”

Delgado will attend the Discotheque and said she hoped Radatz will play a song by rapper Soulja Boy.

Luckily for Delgado, Radatz has just what she is looking for. He will debut his newest mash-up Friday.

“My latest one is Soulja Boy and I just put a rock background to it,” Radatz said. “I took the lyrics from Soulja Boy and mixed it with the guitar riffs from the other one so it makes it a ‘rock and roll Soulja Boy.’”

Cathy Warner, residence hall director for Calkins Hall, is a repeat customer of Radatz’s.

For information about Radatz or his work, visit myspace.com/djradatz.

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