Feb. 18, 2009 — One of the entertainment career shifts that has fans and critics alike scratching their heads is Joaquin Phoenix’s decision to abandon acting to become a rapper. Oddly enough, that strange twist was inspired by filling the on-screen boots of Johnny Cash in Walk The Line.
"I've always loved music and never really played anything," Joaquin told the United Kingdon publication The Sun. "After Walk The Line, I kind of learned to play guitar, and having that sense of performing, that certainly opened the door for me for music. I think now I would just like the music to speak for itself. I don't think we'll ever get to the reason: Oh, that's why he quit and this is why he's doing this."
In fact, Joaquin himself doesn’t really understand it. But he also is not the only rapper who’s shown a penchant for the Man In Black. Snoop Dogg namechecked Johnny last year in "My Medicine." When he shot the video, Snoop enlisted the aid of several other country acts: Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley and Julianne Hough.
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