Joaquin Phoenix, 34, the star of 'Gladiator' and 'Signs', not only shocked fans by announcing his retirement from acting in October, he further surprised them with his decision to foray into hip hop.

Before he went on stage to rap at Las Vegas club LAVOS, performing three songs from his upcoming yet-to-be-titled album, the Oscar nominated actor told People magazine, he is ready to put his real self out there, without hiding behind movie characters, and from now on will concentrate on his career as a rapper, as music was always his first love, adding: 'This is me saying who I am. This is my story.'

He also told People: 'When I was young, I liked punk rock music, but then I discovered rap. I love the storytelling aspect of hip hop.' Casey Affleck, who is not only a fellow actor, but also married to Phoenix's sister Summer, was also on the scene to film his brother-in-law's debut as a rapper for an upcoming documentary on Phoenix's career switch to hip hop.

As a scraggly bearded Phoenix , with long, unkempt hair and a ripped gray hat rapped urging the his performance, embracing friends and snapping pictures with fans. A happy-looking Phoenix departed the club around 1:30 a. m.