George plays with Dynamite

Rap star Ms Dynamite is to duet with George Michael at the Brit Awards with an anti-war version of his track Faith.

She has altered the lyrics of the song and turned it into a protest against the possible conflict with Iraq.

She will sing live at Thursday's music awards ceremony while Michael will appear via video-link from the US.

Ms Dynamite has been vocal in her opposition to war with Iraq and took part in Saturday's peace rally in Hyde Park.

The star - nominated for four awards - approached Michael about re-working the 1987 hit and he offered to perform a duet with her.

Michael caused controversy last year when he released the single Shoot The Dog, which attacked Tony Blair's close relationship with US President George W Bush and their policy towards Iraq.

"Ms Dynamite really wanted to do something different for her performance and sending out an anti-war message is very important to her," a Brits organiser said.

"Faith is one of her favourite songs so she phoned George and asked if she could change the lyrics. She sent them to him and he was so impressed that he offered to duet with her.

"Unfortunately he can't be at the Brits because he is in the States so he will appear on video."

He denied reports that some record executives were unhappy that the awards ceremony was being politicised.

"The Brits has a history of artists sending out a political message - a few years ago Bono and Muhammad Ali launched the Jubilee 2000 'drop the debt' campaign at the awards - and we are perfectly happy with Ms Dynamite's choice," he said.