Paul Joshua "Sonny" Sandoval (born May 16, 1974) is an American rapper and singer who is the lead vocalist and a founding member of nu metal band P.O.D.

Early life

Sandoval was born in San Diego, California, to a Chamorro-Hawaiian mother and a Mexican-Italian father. When he was eighteen, his mother was diagnosed with leukemia. During her illness, he was greatly influenced by his mother's faith as a devout Christian.

Career

P.O.D.

Sandoval is known as co-founder and the lead vocalist of the metal band P.O.D. Over the course of their career, the band has received three Grammy Award nominations, contributed to numerous motion picture soundtracks and toured internationally. They have sold over 12 million records worldwide.

The Whosoevers

Since 2008, Sandoval has been part of an outreach group, The Whosoevers, with Ryan Ries, Lacey Sturm of Flyleaf, and Brian Welch, guitarist for the nu metal band Korn.

Other work

thumb|Sandoval performing in 2011

Before the formation of P.O.D., Sandoval was a member of a rap/hip-hop group in high school called Unlicensed Product.

Sandoval appeared in Project 86's self-titled album in the song "Six Sirens". In 2004, he contributed to two tracks on Anastacia's self titled album, "Seasons Change" and "I Do". He has been named number 63 in Hit Paraders Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time in 2006.

Sandoval published autobiography Son of Southtown on February 25, 2025. Later that year, on December 11th, 2025, he debuted his first solo album, titled Sonny Dread.

Legacy

In 2023, the City of San Diego declared June 23 to be "Sonny Sandoval Day," meant to honor the vocalist.

Personal life

He and his wife Shannon married in 1996, and have two daughters and a son. He resides in San Diego.

For most of P.O.D.'s career, Sandoval was well known for his dreadlocks (which, by the release of the video for "Going in Blind", reached his waist). At the time of the release of P.O.D.'s seventh studio album, When Angels & Serpents Dance, he cut them off, but has since regrown them.

Discography

P.O.D.

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  • Snuff the Punk (1994)
  • Brown (1996)
  • The Fundamental Elements of Southtown (1999)
  • Satellite (2001)
  • Payable on Death (2003)
  • Testify (2006)
  • When Angels & Serpents Dance (2008)
  • Murdered Love (2012)
  • SoCal Sessions (2014)
  • The Awakening (2015)
  • Circles (2018)
  • Veritas (2024)

Solo work

  • Sonny Dread (2025)

Guest appearances

  • "Six Sirens" by Project 86 on the album Project 86 (1998)
  • "America" by Santana (with P.O.D.) on the album Shaman (2002)
  • "Seasons Change" & "I Do" by Anastacia on the album, Anastacia (2004)
  • "Let It Go" by Kirk Franklin, with TobyMac on the album, Hero (2005)
  • "Warning" by Tribal Seeds on their album, The Harvest (2009)
  • "Eternal" by War of Ages on their album, Eternal (2010)
  • "Children of the Light" by Lecrae on his album, Rehab (2010)
  • "American Dream" by Dominic Balli on his album, American Dream (2011)
  • "The Only Name" by For Today on their album, Immortal (2012)
  • "Something Better" Flyleaf on their EP, Who We Are (2013)
  • "Criminals" by Islander on their album, Violence & Destruction (2014)
  • "Chasing the Horizon" by Noize MC (2019)
  • "They Don't Like It" by Fire from the Gods (2019)
  • "Secrets" by Written By Wolves (2019)
  • "Magic Eyes" by Nights Like Thieves (2020)
  • "All or Nothing" by Ill Niño (2021)
  • "Nemesis" by Manafest (2022)
  • "Lights, Camera, Action" by Islander (2022)
  • "Attitude" by H.R. on his album "Let Luv Lead (The Way)" (2023)

References

  • The Whosoevers Official Website
  • Official website
  • The Warriors Tour Official Site
  • theSouthtown.com
  • MTV EXIT Concerts
  • Tony Hawk's American Wasteland Xbox Live VNR