Joaquin Phoenix's rap career 'a hoax' - report

Joaquin Phoenix's attempts to conquer hip-hop is a hoax, sources say. Photo / AP

UPDATED: Joaquin Phoenix

's retirement from acting and newfound career as a rapper is all part of an elaborate hoax, sources say.

Phoenix, who announced his retirement from acting last year, showcased three songs from his so-called hip-hop album during a

widely-panned performance

at a club in Las Vegas last month, and it bombed. It was the musical equivalent of a drive-by shooting.

See here:

Two sources now claim to website

Entertainment Weekly

that Phoenix's effort to reinvent himself as a rapper is not quite all it's cracked up to be...

The theory goes that Phoenix is attempting to lampoon actors who take themselves too seriously, and the media hysteria that follows their every move - and capture it all on film for a doco (courtesy of Casey Affleck), so says foxnews.com. Either that or he's as mad as a bag of snakes.

One snitch who recently worked with Phoenix said: "

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

.'"

"

It's an art project for him

," says another snitch. "

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

."

Phoenix himself insists that his career shift is genuine, and that he's enjoying having the "chance to do something straight from the heart and put it out there."

And the hairy fella's rep, Susan Patricola, also says that the former actor's road to rap is genuine. She tells

MTV

news: "The transition from one career to another is never seamless. It should come as no surprise to anyone that Joaquin came from a musical family, in addition to winning a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Johnny Cash," Patricola wrote in an e-mail.

"He intends on exploring his musical interests despite speculative, negative or positive reactions," she concluded.

So it's all an elaborate, Borat-esque prank on the media. Or is it? We're still waiting for the punch line. Until then, we guess the joke's on us. Let's just humour him.

Video: What happened when Paris Hilton met Lady GaGa.

Could Hilton's fawning be any more annoying?

I do, I do

Gordon Ramsay

is planning to renew his wedding vows with wife

Tana

, reports say.

The celebrity chef, who was the subject of

affair allegations

last year, is said to want to reaffirm his commitment to Tana during a ceremony planned for later this year.

"Gordon wants to show just how infatuated he still is with Tana," a snitch tells the

Sunday People

.

"They have both had to endure some stormy days after he was accused of being unfaithful. Gordon has maintained he has been the victim of untrue allegations. He is so delighted that Tana has stood by him.

"By renewing vows Gordon and Tana will show the world their relationship is as strong as ever."

Word has it that guests will include

Victoria

and

David Beckham

, who will be witnesses. And they all lived happily ever after.

So controversial

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drops the F-bomb in her new single,

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. America (over)reacts.

BBB

Fast gossip

Megan Fox

to take on Lara Croft role:

DS

Paula Abdul

claims she inspired

Rihanna

and

Beyonce

. Keep dreaming, sweetie:

CB

Look who invaded London…

MRP

Will third time be a charm for

Paul McCartney

?

CDL

Guess who this is...

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McDreamy

gets his race on:

PB

Mickey Rourke

to step into the ring for real:

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Brad Pitt

: '

Angelina

and I did not sign up for fame':

EW

Kiefer Sutherland

going bald!

PCN

Charlie's Angels

are coming back:

DS

Miley Cyrus

horsing around:

CS

Kate Winslet

feels "fat and unhappy":

HB

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