Joaquin Phoenix kicked off his new career as a rapper at the weekend – and it wasn't a pretty sight.

In October the Oscar-nominated actor announced he was quitting acting to concentrate on making music, telling Extra, "I want to take this opportunity...to give you the exclusive...that this will be my last performance as an actor...I'm not doing films anymore."

And true to his word, Joaquin - looking like a tramp with his new straggly beard, matted hair and baggy cords - made his hip-hop debut at NAVO nightclub at the The Palazzo in Las Vegas on Friday night.

Joaquin in Las Vegas on Friday (left) and promoting 'We Own The Night' in 2007 (right)

During a brief set, the Walk The Line star bobbed up and down unsteadily on stage as he 'rapped' three tracks from his forthcoming album, before topping off his cringeworthy performance by falling off the stage into the crowd.

Joaquin's new music career is being filmed by brother-in-law Casey Affleck - who was also at Friday's gig - for a forthcoming documentary.

Here's hoping it's a mocumentary...

Joaquin Raps

Joaquin Falls