Last October, Joaquin Phoenix made headlines when he announced he was quitting acting to pursue a career in music but now close friends of the actor say his newfound rap career is a hoax. Phoenix, almost completely unrecognizable in a full beard and sunglasses, made an appearance as a rapper at a Las Vegas nightclub on January 16, during which he appeared to have a meltdown and then fell off the stage. The performance was filmed by his brother-in-law Casey Affleck, and pals say it’s all part of an “art project.” A friend told Entertainment Weekly: “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. 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.”