At a Glance
- Fat Joe became a father in 1990, raising a son with Down syndrome and autism.
- He welcomed a second son in 1995 and a daughter in 2006.
- The rapper pivoted to a nightly Instagram Live show in 2020, inspired by his daughter.
- Why it matters: The story shows how a high-profile artist balances fame, family responsibilities, and new media ventures.
Fat Joe’s family journey spans decades of personal challenges and career shifts, from raising a special-needs son to launching a talk show that keeps his daughter at the center of his work.
The Early Years
Fat Joe first entered fatherhood on December 15, 1990, when he was just 19. He told HipHopDX in 2022, “That was the scariest moment of my life… I was just a kid myself. I didn’t even have a song out. It was just really, really scary to be so young and have so much responsibility.” The child, Joey, was born with Down syndrome and later diagnosed with autism. Joey’s biological mother considered adoption, but Fat Joe’s mother insisted on keeping the grandson, so the rapper raised Joey with his parents’ help.
In 2024, during a Club Shay Shay podcast interview, Fat Joe reflected on Joey’s resilience: “This guy is happy. I swear to God, he’s always happy. He’s never sad… He gets what he wants. He’s the Don.” He also called Joey “the Don of the family” on The View in November 2022, adding, “He inspires me. He’s such a blessing in our life, he’s almost like an angel.”
Raising a Special-Needs Son
Fat Joe’s first son’s journey has shaped his outlook on parenting. He described the experience in his memoir, The Book of Jose (2022), noting that Joey’s mother wanted to give him up, but the rapper’s mother refused. Fat Joe said, “I raised him alone with the help of my parents.”
Joey’s achievements include a steady smile and a bright outlook. Despite the challenges, Fat Joe sees him as his “biggest blessing.” He also highlighted the importance of showing up for children: “Every man has a different circumstance, but the most important part of fatherhood is showing up.”
Ryan: The Aspiring Rapper
Ryan Cartagena was born on January 19, 1995. Fat Joe never disclosed the mother’s identity but mentioned her in the 2022 memoir, stating, “Ryan’s mom has been active in his life, and me and her remain cool.” Ryan spent his early years with his mother before moving to Miami with Fat Joe and his wife Lorena around age ten.
The rapper praised Ryan’s academic performance, citing a 97 average in a 2010 interview with Xappeal. Yet he also acknowledged moments of rebellion, remarking, “But I have to stay strict with him.” Fat Joe emphasized the value of education over music, saying, “I want them to go to school to get a great education and be a doctor, lawyer or whatever the biggest, most positive dream for a parent is.”
Ryan, who uses the stage name RySoValid, pursued rap while keeping options open. He graduated from Full Sail University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in entertainment business management. In 2016 he released “Cookin” with his dad and Remy Ma, featuring French Montana. In 2019, Ryan appeared on Growing Up Hip Hop: New York, where he discussed his aspirations and his dad’s shoe store, UP NYC.
Azariah: The Daughter Who Sparked a New Career
Fat Joe’s daughter, Azariah Cartagena, was born on May 4, 2006. The couple had been married for ten years, but Azariah was a surprise. He described the moment as a “greatest” experience in a 2010 Xappeal interview: “She’s just the cutest thing, she runs me and the whole house.”
Azariah’s influence became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fat Joe told The Washington Post in November 2022, “Covid came. I was terrified. I’m prediabetic so I was scared to catch it. I stayed at home for a year and four months, just me, my wife and my daughter.” She urged him to start an Instagram Live show. The first broadcast drew thousands of viewers, and by the third or fourth day it evolved into a nightly series.
In March 2021, Fat Joe told Business Insider, “My daughter’s the executive producer. She’s 14. She’s excited about it… and it gives me a sense of pride.” The show, The Fat Joe Show, led to other opportunities, including hosting the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards and launching a weekly interview series, Fat Joe Talks.
Azariah turned 18 in May 2024. Fat Joe celebrated with a heartfelt Instagram post: “The love of my life, it was love at first sight… Your such a thoughtful and loving daughter, we did it all dance class going to plays everything i had to do to make you happy. Me and mom love you to the moon and back you will always be our baby.”
Key Takeaways
- Fat Joe’s fatherhood began in 1990 with a son who has Down syndrome and autism.
- He raised a second son, Ryan, who pursued rap but also values education.
- His daughter, Azariah, inspired a career shift to social-media hosting, launching a nightly Instagram Live show.
- The family’s story underscores the blend of personal responsibility, career ambition, and adaptation to new media platforms.
The journey of Fat Joe and his children illustrates how a public figure can navigate the complexities of raising special-needs children while building a multi-faceted career.
