MC Joaquin Unveils His Inner Rapper

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(Jan. 18) -- There was always a bit of skepticism when Joaquin Phoenix abruptly said he'd be leaving the movie biz to become a musician. Things got even fishier when we found out that his brother-in-law Casey Affleck was making a documentary of the jump. Now, we find out that the musical plunge is actually Phoenix becoming a rapper. Consider us wary.
Making his musical debut at a Las Vegas club, Phoenix told PEOPLE that "This is me saying this is who I am. This is my story," before going on stage and performing rap songs.
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Joaquin's Rap Debut
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"When I was young I liked punk rock music but then I discovered rap. I love the storytelling aspect of hip-hop," Phoenix explained.
Phoenix knows the sudden change in career will leave many scratching their heads and thinking the worst.
"Are there people out there who think I'm a joke? I'm sure there will be. Are there people who think it's going to suck? Probably, but I can?t worry about that," he told PEOPLE.
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Actors Turned Singers

    Joaquin Phoenix
    Album: None yet
    The newly bearded but always interesting Phoenix announced in late 2008 that he'd be quitting the movie biz in order to become a musician. Now we find out his bro-in-law Casey Affleck is filming a documentary on the transition.

    Getty Images

    Ed Westwick
    Band: The Filthy Youth
    It seemed impossible, but 'Gossip Girl' bad boy Chuck Bass just got hotter to scores of screaming teens. British? In a band? Irresistible.

    Kevin Mazur, WireImage

    Robert Downey, Jr.
    Album(s): The Futurist
    Iron Man wrote 8 of the tracks on his debut album, which was released in 2004. Reviews were wildly mixed, but it's certainly not the most embarrassing art project ever made. (Sorry, Hulk Hogan.)

    Getty Images

    Alyssa Milano
    Album(s): Look In My Heart, Alyssa, etc.
    In the late '80s and early '90s, Alyssa Milano made a tidy sum selling albums only available in Japan.

    Getty Images

    Scarlett Johansson
    Album(s): Anywhere I Lay My Head
    The lovely Scarlett released an album consisting mostly of Tom Waits songs. We're not sure we liked the end result, but we applaud her verve.

    Getty Images

    Hayden Panettiere
    Album(s): Falling Down
    She can walk through flames, regenerate missing digits... and sing! Claire Bennet - er, Hayden Panettiere released her first single 'Wake Up Call' in August. Her full album is due in 2009.

    Getty Images

    Kevin Bacon
    Album(s): Forosoco, Getting There, Can't Complain, White Knuckles
    In 1995, Bacon and his brother Michael formed a band called, creatively, The Bacon Brothers.

    Getty Images

    Julianne Hough
    Album(s): Julianne Hough
    The 'Dancing With the Stars' personality won an Emmy nom for her choreography - and her first album debuted at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart. 2007 was a good year for Julianne.

    Getty Images

    Paris Hilton
    Album(s): Paris
    The star of 'The Simple Life,' a gazillion paparazzi shots and one special home movie, Paris Hilton released her first album in 2006. The sales were disappointed, but we had 'Stars Are Blind' stuck in our heads for days.

    Getty Images

    David Hasselhoff
    Album(s): Too numerous to list
    We're not trying to hassle the Hoff's acting, but at this point, he might be more famous for his renditions of 'Hooked on a Feeling' and the insane come-on anthem 'Jump In My Car' than his turn on 'Baywatch.'

    Getty Images

While on stage, the Oscar-nominated and now extremely furry Phoenix urged crowd members to dance, while also jumping up and down and pumping his fist in the air.
"You hold a very special place in my heart," he said before ending the show.
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2009-01-18 10:06:37
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