Phoenix rap career 'an elaborate hoax'

Joaquin Phoenix's recent foray into rapping has reportedly been unveiled as an elaborate hoax.

According to Entertainment Weekly, friends of the star have revealed that his decision to quit acting for music is part of an "art project" that he is working on.

The Oscar nominee's debut performance as a rap artist was critically panned and culminated in him tumbling off the stage, but his friends have said it was probably planned.

"He said: 'It's a put-on. I'm going to pretend to have a meltdown and change careers, and Casey [Affleck] is going to film it,'" said a source who worked with Phoenix recently.

When asked what the star's motivation was, another friend described the experiment as an "art project" but declined to reveal any details.

"He's going full out. He probably has told his reps that he's quit acting," the pal said. "Joaquin is very smart. This is very conscious. He has a huge degree of control."