when did joaqun phoenix become a rapper

Joaquin Phoenix did not actually “become a rapper” in real life; the whole thing was a hoax/performance tied to the 2010 mockumentary I’m Still Here. Reports from 2009 show the public saw him appear to quit acting and pursue rap, and later coverage confirms it was staged for the film.

What happened

• In early 2009, Phoenix publicly acted as though he was retiring from acting and starting a rap career.

• The storyline was later revealed as part of I’m Still Here , released in 2010.

• So the best answer is: he “became a rapper” only as part of a project, not as a permanent career change.

Quick context

The confusion came from how convincing the stunt was at the time, including awkward public appearances and a widely discussed performance. In hindsight, it was one of Hollywood’s more famous fake-out celebrity arcs.