Sonny Sandoval


Paul Joshua "Sonny" Sandoval is an American rapper and singer who is the lead vocalist and a founding member of nu metal band P.O.D.
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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 best 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. With their third studio album, The Fundamental Elements of Southtown, P.O.D. achieved their initial mainstream success; the album was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2000.

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

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 Parader's 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. 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.

Solo work

  • ''Sonny Dread''

Guest appearances