(Photo: Splash News Online)

Joaquin Phoenix's transition from actor to musician is almost complete.

Packaged now with a Rick Rubin-esque beard (and a Jim Morrison-type gut), Phoenix recently debuted his musical shtick at a Las Vegas club.

"This is me saying this is who I am," Phoenix declared before hopping on stage for his hip-hop set.

"This is my story."

And in case you can't make it, brother-in-law Casey Affleck (married to Summer Phoenix) is shooting a documentary of Joaquin's evolution.

"Are there people out there who think I'm a joke? I'm sure there will be. Are there people who think it's going to suck? Probably, but I can't worry about that," Phoenix told press.

But he'd better watch his step onstage...

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