Joaquin Phoenix may be best known for playing country legend Johnny Cash, but it’s hip-hop that the actor has turned to for a second career.
Having announced his retirement from acting last year, Joaquin was spotted on stage at Lavo in Las Vegas on Friday, where he showed off some new material – and his MC skills.
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In videos posted to YouTube, Joaquin took the stage in a beanie, sunglasses and a heavy beard as he rhymed over drum beats.
It looked like he was playing another character — but the aspiring rapper told People before he took the stage that it was no act.
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“This is me saying this is who I am,” he told the mag. “This is my story.”
A cameraman filmed the performance, and though Joaquin may be done with acting, the footage will likely appear on screen – according to The Hollywood Reporter, brother-in-law Casey Affleck is directing a documentary about the former actor’s career shift. Casey is married to Joaquin’s sister, Summer Phoenix.
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