Former Hollywood actor Joaquin Phoenix “flipped out” at a camera crew just moments before he made his debut as a rapper, it's been claimed.

Phoenix, who stated his intention to launch a music career last October, performed three songs from his forthcoming album at a small club in Las Vegas last Friday (January 16th).

But the show, which was filmed by Phoenix's brother-in-law, director Casey Affleck, ended chaotically when the rapper fell from the stage.

The fall lead to questions about Phoenix's state of mind.

A source told the New York Post that the the former actor had become angry after he was forced to wait for Affleck's film crew before the gig.

"He was waiting for Casey Affleck and when the film crew arrived late, Joaquin flipped out,” the source said.

The unnamed source claimed Phoenix said to the crew: “Thanks for being late and fucking everything up.”

The former actor's dramatic change of direction, and Affleck's involvement at the gig, prompted speculation about the seriousness of Phoenix's new project.

But in an interview before his performance, Phoenix said he saw hip-hop as his “chance to do something straight from the heart and put it out there.”

Phoenix has stood down from his acting career twice before, although never with such a definite ending.

(by Jason Gregory)