MC Joaquin Phoenix

Late last year, Oscar-nominated actor, Joaquin Phoenix, announced his retirement from acting, setting his sights on a career in music. After engulfing himself in all things Johnny Cash for his role in Walk The Line, the move to music seemed to make good--although not perfectly good--sense. Keep in mind Phoenix performed all his songs in Walk The Line (no lip syncing) and won a Grammy Award for his work on the film's soundtrack. No stranger to the music industry, Phoenix has also directed various music videos, crafting clips for acts She Wants Revenge, Albert Hammond, Jr., and Silversun Pickups. Last May it was reported that Phoenix had been recording original songs with members of both Spacehog and The Charlatans UK. Months later, when Phoenix announced that he was giving up acting for music, most--including myself--thought his new career path would find him on the other end of an acoustic guitar...

Late last year, Oscar-nominated actor, Joaquin Phoenix, announced his retirement from acting, setting his sights on a career in music.

After engulfing himself in all things Johnny Cash for his role in Walk The Line, the move to music seemed to make good–although not perfectly good–sense. Keep in mind Phoenix performed all his songs in Walk The Line (no lip syncing) and won a Grammy Award for his work on the film’s soundtrack. No stranger to the music industry, Phoenix has also directed various music videos, crafting clips for acts She Wants Revenge, Albert Hammond, Jr., and Silversun Pickups.

Last May it was reported that Phoenix had been recording original songs with members of both Spacehog and The Charlatans UK. Months later, when Phoenix announced that he was giving up acting for music, most–including myself–thought his new career path would find him on the other end of an acoustic guitar performing indie-minded rock tunes. We couldn’t have been more off.

This past weekend, Phoenix performed at Lavo night club in Las Vegas to begin his rap career. Yes, rap (calling it “hip-hop” may be a tad disrespectful to the culture).

Phoenix, who usually always delivers the goods no matter what endeavor, came off like a really bad karaoke performer. Because his brother-in-law Casey Affleck was on hand documenting the occasion, one can only hope we are all in on a big joke that will reveal itself one day. If not, the Insane Clown Posse may have found themselves a new opening act.