Keith David has voiced numerous animated characters, from Goliath on the Disney series 'Gargoyles' to the Arbiter in 'Halo 2' and 'Halo 3' to the Decepticon Barricade in 'Transformers: The Game,' but nothing has been more satisfying to Keith David than portraying a Disney character that also sings.

The New York City native is providing his vocal cords to the role of Dr. Facilier in 'The Princess and the Frog,' which opens nationwide on Dec. 11.

This latest animated family film by Disney is the first to feature an African American princess, Princess Tiana (played by Tony Award winner and 'Dreamgirls' actress Anika Noni Rose).

Set in New Orleans' French Quarter, 'Princess' is the story of a prince named Naveen (Bruno Campos) who is transformed into a frog by the evil scheming voodoo magician Dr. Facilier (David). The frog prince mistakes a girl named Tiana (Rose) for a princess and asks her to break the spell with a kiss.

When Princess Tiana fails to free the prince from his curse, she turns into a frog, too. Together, they must reach the good voodoo priestess of the Bayou, Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis), while befriending a trumpet-playing alligator and a hopelessly romantic firefly along the way.

While currently filming 'Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming' in Atlanta, David spoke to Black Voices about working in a new Disney as well as his upcoming films, which include 'The Lottery Ticket' with Bow Wow.

What was special about voicing this character?

Keith David: I get to do magic. I get to sing a song. It's fascinating. He's a great bad guy who you love to hate. For me, he joins that great roster of villains, like Dastardly Whiplash and Scar ('Lion King'). I fell in love with him immediately. I loved the way he looked. I love the fact that he was a guy with an agenda that called on his friends from the other side to give him some help, and it had consequences. One of the lessons overall in the movie is when you go out for yourself, you end up with nothing. In this day in age, with the way the economy is, you need a film where the family can be together. With this film, featuring the first African American princess, you can see a film that shows mutual humanity and where we can celebrate our togetherness.

Were you conscious of the fact that you weren't portraying just any villain, but rather a Disney character?

KD: Yeah. It's like doing Broadway. I've done other characters, including a series for Disney, but when you're doing an animated feature, you want to do a Disney film, and especially a hand-drawn character. And what's not to like? If I wasn't in this movie, I would like it. I like it even more because I am a part of that creative process. It's a wonderful feeling to be part of a great team. I've known Jenifer Lewis my whole professional career. I've known Anika Noni Rose most of my professional career. These are wonderful actors. The other people who I didn't know are folks who I admired and enjoy what they do. Although we weren't in the same room together, we were all contributors to a great wholeness.

Does this get to be old hat for you to go into a room solo to voice a character?

KD: There is a wonderful familiarity with the genre that for me hasn't been old hat. When I go in the room, I'm not a novice, but there's always something to learn. There are some nuances I didn't get to do before. There are new discoveries on how to use my own instrument that makes the process fascinating.

Not many people are aware that you are an accomplished singer. Was it refreshing to use your musical skills on a film?

KD: Absolutely. That was the thrilling part. I got to sing a Randy Newman song, which is great. It's a wonderful feeling to be part of a strong team.

How do go back to working with actors on a set like the current film you're doing in Atlanta after being in a single room voicing a character?

KD: Doing animated work, for me, is not different than doing a live-action character. The difference is that I'm in a room and talking in front of a microphone, but I'm relating to someone.

Can you talk about the roles you have in 'Stomp the Yard 2' and 'The Lottery Ticket' with Bow Wow?

KD: In 'Stomp the Yard 2,' I play the dad of the main character who is a dancer-stomper. We have a family conflict going on. It's a good coming-of-age story. In 'The Lottery Ticket,' I play one of the scheming bad guys in the neighborhood, but he's not the baddest kid on the block. I offer some "friendly" advice to Bow Wow's character when he wins a lot of money.