The Simpsons: Preview of Keegan-Michael Key's Hip-Hop Episode

In an upcoming episode of The Simpsons, titled "The Great Phatsby," comedy superstar Keegan-Michael Key will make his first appearance on the storied animated sitcom.

In support of the partnership, FOX TV has released a featurette giving a quick behind-the-scenes glimpse at the episode.

"So the character I'm playing in this episode, his name is Jazzy James and he is a washed-up rapper," Key explains in the video embedded above. "he sells candles -- really high-end candles."

The preview above also gives a sense of how Key and the producers of The Simpsons landed on the character's voice (which isn't just Key's own).

THE SIMPSONS continues to strike a chord with viewers for irreverently poking fun at anything and everything. As the longest-running scripted series in television history, THE SIMPSONS has become one of the most consistently groundbreaking, innovative and recognizable entertainment franchises throughout the world. With its subversive humor and delightful wit, the series has made an indelible imprint on American pop culture, and its family members – HOMER (Dan Castellaneta), MARGE (Julie Kavner), BART (Nancy Cartwright), LISA (Yeardley Smith) and MAGGIE – are television icons. Recently renewed for the unprecedented 28th season, THE SIMPSONS has won 31 Emmy Awards, a 2015 People's Choice Award and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for the theatrical short "The Longest Daycare." The series recently received five 2015 Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Animated Program. "The Simpsons Movie" was a hit feature film; the mega-attraction "The Simpsons Ride" at Universal Studios has received historic expansion updates with the addition of Springfield added to the roster; and the show was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000. It was named the "Best Show of the 20th Century" by Time magazine, and called the "Greatest American Sitcom" by Entertainment Weekly in 2013.

"The Great Phatsby" will air on Sunday, January 15, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.