While making an appearance on BBC Radio’s 1Xtra station show “Hip Hop with Semtex” on Friday (Dec. 11), Mos Def provided detail on his highly anticipated collaboration with cartoon band Gorillaz.

“I’m involved at this present time on the album as a vocalist but also as a character,” explained Mos, who will join the ranks of Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Boots Riley , Roots Manuva, MF Doom, De La Soul and D12 as rap acts who have collaborated with Gorillaz.

“I’ll probably be the fifth or sixth [Gorillaz member],” continued Mos. “How many do they have now? I think it’s four. I’m a Gorillaz cameo. I think my character’s name is Sun Moon Stars. He’s a game vendor at this place called Plastic Beach. There’s a carnival atmosphere, he [runs] one of the games at this place.”

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Plastic Beach, which Mos Def mentions as his character’s locale, is also the tentative title for the album. According to the Brooklyn rapper, he has recorded multiple tracks for the release – and in his estimation, they rank among his best work. “I’ve got three on the Gorillaz record. And they’re all really… what shall we say… ‘Sweepstakes’ is incredible. ‘Sweepstakes’ is one of the greatest things that I’ve ever done… because it’s right on time the first song we ever recorded together and we did it in like one take. So ‘Sweepstakes’ is important to me.”

Gorillaz, the brainchild of Blur frontman Damon Albarn and comic book artist Jamie Hewlett, are set to release Plastic Beach prior to March 2010, though no official date has been set. Their last full release was 2004’s Demon Days.

In other news, President Barack Obama will pay tribute to the United States armed forces. The President is scheduled to deliver a special Holiday video message to the troops on NBC’s “WWE Tribute to the Troops” holiday special on Saturday (Dec. 19) at 9:00 PM. The event will also feature General Devid H. Petraeus, Commander, United States Central Command, providing his holiday wishes.

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The show will chronicle the visits WWE Superstars and Divas made to multiple military operating bases over the course of three days, and will culminate with a live performance in front of thousands of military personnel.

“WWE Tribute to the Troops” is an annual event which recognizes and honors the sacrifices made by the men and women serving the United States overseas.