Award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix announced last October that he was ditching acting to embark on a new career….rapping. That’s right, Joaquin Phoenix claims to have a hankering for making rap music. His first concert took place in January in a Vegas night club.

Amidst rumors of a hoax, Phoenix maintains that he is actually putting himself out there, risking outright rejection, to pursue what he wants to do: “I have to be true to myself,” he said.

Conflicting comments, from a source working closely with the wannabe rapper,  say the entire thing is an elaborate Andy Kaufman-style hoax aided by his friend and brother-in-law Casey Affleck. Affleck is apparently shooting a documentary about his career transition.

“He said, ‘It’s a put-on. I’m going to pretend to have a meltdown and change careers, and Casey is going to film it,’” the source said of Joaquin.

Well Joaquin, good luck with whatever it is you’re trying to do. Rapping or hoaxing, he isn’t succeeding at either.