Joaquin Phoenix raps, rolls

 

While there was already a soft launch of his new hip-hop career right here in our own Los Angeles environs several weeks back, Joaquin Phoenix has chosen to hit the Vegas strip for the official kickoff.

And by the way, does anyone believe any of this for one moment?

The two-time Oscar nominee (for "Walk the Line" and "Gladiator") made noise about quitting his acting career and turning full-time to music. Or some facsimile thereof. 

Evidence: This video shot Friday night at Lavo. In it, you'll see the bulked-up, Grizzly Adams-bearded Phoenix doing his best hobo impression, complete with incomprehensible yammerings, "dancing" and a tumble at the end. 

Phoenix's pal Casey Affleck is chronicling the unlikely move from acting to rapping, and Diddy's reportedly working with Phoenix on a record. Again, we're all being punk'd, right? 

In the meantime, it'll likely provide us with some unintentional entertainment. Expect us to follow this to its disingenuous conclusion.