DJ Mega

Mega man: Neal Stoll, 30, of St. Pete.

Beginnings: "I got into DJing when I realized that the only way I could stay current with the type of music I liked — hip-hop at the time — was to buy vinyl records."

Where he DJs: "I DJ all over, lots of stuff in Tampa and Orlando and, of course, the motherland, St Pete. I travel out of town pretty frequently to DJ for exposure and a change of scenery. I've also been picked up this season as a DJ for the Tampa Bay Rays, and that's been an amazing opportunity. I like to think that I'm the reason for the winning streak. In addition to that, I have a monthly party I'm doing on the First Friday of every month at the Tamiami Bar on First Avenue South called Retox. I'll be featuring different DJs pretty much every month, and I have to tell you, it's one of the best dance parties I've ever thrown."

She power: "I've found success in playing exactly what I'd want to hear if I was out buying $12 vodka cranberries all night. I also try and appeal to a fun side of DJing that involves a sense of irony — '80s music is a great example of this. But just to be clear, I play ALL genres of club music, from hip-hop to house. I've never been one for playlists and am a firm believer in the school of thought that says: Get the girls on the floor and everything else falls into place. That's been my mantra for almost a decade, so, 'Helloooooo, ladies.' "

Advantages of staying put: "I have a great family of friends here that I network with, and we create an artistic party atmosphere for the bay, and that makes me feel like I have a job to do here. ... We are able to have a big-city feel with some little-city love sprinkled on top. The Sunshine City is an amazing place with a great history, and it's coming back in a big way, especially the downtown area that I call home. You want the St. Pete nickel tour? I'm your man."

Spins: "I play a lot of original samples to current songs. Say, for instance, that an old Public Enemy song sampled an even older James Brown song. I'll mix the two together and give you a little history lesson, and you won't even realize it. Also, for the past few years I've been introducing Baltimore club music to the area. With B-more Club you have faster beats with really raw rap lyrics."

What impresses other DJs: "Far and away what turns heads of other DJs is my ability to scratch and beat-juggle. I started as a turntablist first and a DJ second. Many DJs today are doing very little besides mixing two songs on CDs together and that's it. I manipulate every record I play and I do much, much more than just play records."

Favorite ice cream: "Anything from the gelato place on Beach Drive. The dark chocolate there is the jump off."

Hear him: With Young Deacon at 10 p.m. Friday at the Tamiami, 242 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Free. myspace.com/discjockeymega