Last October, the news that Joaquin Phoenix was abandoning his acting career to pursue a musical one was met with mixed reviews and our own Michael Slezak penning Phoenix’s first single. I’m far more intrigued by Phoenix’s change of heart now, after reading in The Hollywood Reporter that he wants to be a rapper and will have Diddy produce his album — and that his brother-in-law, Casey Affleck, is filming a documentary following his efforts. Shooting "officially" begins today in Las Vegas, the trade says, though Affleck was spotted filming Phoenix in action in November. (TMZ also got some footage.)
Will I buy a Joaquin Phoenix rap album? Probably not. Will I watch a documentary on Joaquin Phoenix’s attempt at a rap career? Definitely. Who’s with me?
More on Joaquin Phoenix:
Joaquin Phoenix wants to be a singer? We’ve got the perfect lead single for him!
Joaquin Phoenix: His most memorable roles
Omg, WHAT! A RAP album? That is so funny. So, so funny. I will buy the album AND watch the documentary, dude.
Hmmmm. I am not so sure if I would join you on the couch for this. It would depend on what else was on and if you had snacks.
Is this like a high-brow version of “Punk’d”? WTF?
Why does it sound so ridiculous? Only pathethic souls would comment first without listening to the story behind the music. Obviously you do not need a degree to be a rap star. Just pen and paper. The music mostly comes from producers. Who would have thought Eminem would have something to say? Who also would have thought he would have a decent acting debut? Nobody! So please shut up and live and let live!
I will watch the movie, and based on that I will decide whether or not to buy the CD.
Of course it’s ridiculous. Doesn’t he know he’s WHITE? Sigh. Come on, people, rap isn’t some complex music structure here. For the most part, it seems to be garbled lyrics back by simple beats. Even a white man can do that.
Sems so stunt-y…but OK?
Hmmm, well I do know that he used to be in a band with his siblings years ago. I wish everyone would stop being so hard on him – like it’s a crime against humanity to want to step away from the Hollywood circus. Give the guy a break.
JP was not afforded that break, and possibly endured a break of another kind. In the follow up interview with Letterman, I thought he’d come through, he’d found something of value that he wouldn’t change about this whole mean experience, and it was freedom giving. Still, it would have been nice to see his music career go to fruition.
Anyone who has followed Joaquin’s career knows he loves to mess with us, especially the media. Rap–I don’t think so… Gregorian chanting MAYBE.
OMG! Is this for REAL? Excuse me while I pick my jaw up! This could be a career killer (all of them)!
Who wants to bet the movie ends with him deciding to go back to acting?
I smell shenanigans. This has the puppeteer John “I will act no more forever” Malkovich stank all over it. Mockumentary for sure.
Rap career???!! I’d say Country perhaps. After his take on Johnny Cash, the dude can sing. This is probably just a publicity stunt for a faux musician documentary, ala Spinal Tap.
Am I dreaming? This is joke, right? Oh, Phoenix, what’s happened to you?
He was born in Puerto Rico so he is actually Boricua! There’s Flava, so YES, there’s potential!
He had potential, but hollywood sacrificed him.