AceShowbiz - Fat Joe has left social media users amazed with his dedication as a father. The "What's Luv?" hitmaker was applauded for embracing his son with Down Syndrome despite the absence of the kid's biological mother.

Recently, the 54-year-old hip-hop artist had a sit-down with Shannon Sharpe to share his experience in raising Joey Cartagena, whose mother has been absent since the diagnosis. During the chat, the rapper recalled, "The doctor tells us, 'Hey, I got bad news to tell you. ... He got Down Syndrome. He's gonna be a big challenge.' "

Fat Joe, whose real name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena, shared what his baby mama told him upon learning of the diagnosis. He said, " 'Yo, I can't do this. I'm gonna have to give him up for adoption.' And my mother was like, 'You crazy?' ... So we raise him. He has never seen his mother again." He stressed, "She never visited him again."

Joe went on to explain, "She has never seen him again. I never kept the door closed. She can see our son. It was always available for her to see our son." He then stated, "It's usually the other way around. Baby come with Down Syndrome and men run away," prompting Shannon to agree.

Joe further pointed out, "Shame on you. Father gotta be a father. I don't know how to be a fake father," before reiterating, "I don't know how to be a fake father so I gotta take care of my kids regardless. Do everything I can for them. I don't know how to give up on my kids. I don't know how to not love my kids." He added, "That's impossible."

A short clip from the interview was uploaded on Instagram, leading social media users to shower Joe with praise. One in particular gushed, "Wooooooow. This whole time I thought his wife was the mother. Shoutout to his wife and family for embracing him. Most people don't like to talk about it but raising a special needs child is extremely challenging."

Another chimed in, "Hella respect for Joe. To accept that situation and give that boy love with all the obstacles and challenges without the mother is something I admire. Thats a real father right there. I love him for that." Meanwhile, a few others defended Joe's baby mama with one writing, "Im glad she left instead of mistreating him... no one deserves that! Thank god for his daddy!"

Aside from 33-year-old Joey, the "All the Way Up" spitter is a father to 17-year-old daughter Azariah Cartagena and 27-year-old son Ryan. He shares his two youngest kids with his wife of nearly three decades Lorena Cartagena.