Phoenix: 'I'm following my heart'

Joaquin Phoenix has said that he is following his heart with his career change and believes that music will be the major theme of his life when he looks back.

The former actor recently announced his retirement from films and has already taken to the stage to perform the first gig in his new career as a rapper.

Phoenix himself admitted that his first concert was "terrible" and blamed the nerves of the occasion.

He explained that learning the guitar for his role in Johnny Cash biopic Walk The Line opened the door for his move from films to music.

Phoenix said: "I feel like everything in my life is leading up to this and suddenly acting doesn't seem like that's a big part of what was important in my life.

"I imagine, when I look back on my life, acting will be just a very small portion of something that I did and I think music will be the dominant theme in my life.

"I've always followed my heart and felt what was true at the time and that's what I'm doing now."

Phoenix added that he does not fully understand his own reasons for his career change but wants his music to speak for itself.

The star recently appeared on The David Letterman Show and has remained adamant that his music career is not a hoax.