Sonny Sandoval, the unmistakable voice behind P.O.D., is stepping into a new chapter—one steeped not in distortion riffs but in reggae grooves. The longtime frontman unveiled his new solo project, Sonny Dread, rolling out not one but two debut singles: the meditative “Sleeping Lion” and the boom-bap-leaning “Talk to GOD.”
It’s a move Sandoval says has been brewing for “over a decade,” a point he made clear to fans in an Instagram post celebrating the project’s long-delayed arrival. Now, after years of waiting, he’s finally putting the music into the world.
“Sleeping Lion,” the more overtly reggae-rooted of the pair, drifts on guitar-plinking island rhythms and deep-space dub echoes. Sandoval uses the track to channel a watchful, spiritual stance—chanting about guardianship over friends and foes and warning against the “wicked system” that keeps people tangled. It’s a far cry from the pit-igniting energy of P.O.D., but Sandoval sounds at home in the pocket.
The second track, “Talk to GOD,” finds Sandoval teaming up with rapper-producer Q-Unique for something more cinematic. The song leans into symphonic boom-bap, giving Sandoval space to pivot between spiritual reflection and hip-hop cadence. It’s a reminder that the singer has always been more genre-fluid than P.O.D.’s nu-metal tag implies.
According to a new press release, these two tracks are only the opening steps toward a full-length album—also titled Sonny Dread. The record is being described as “a classic reggae album rooted in heavy bass, timeless riddim, and island-driven grooves,” pulling from the genre’s foundational DNA rather than chasing modern crossover trends.
There’s no release date yet, but the guest list is already stacked. The album will feature contributions from Ray Riley, Dondi, Arise Roots, Marcos Curiel, Louie Castle, and Gil, Migs & Rog, building what looks like a deep collaborative network around Sandoval’s vision.
For now, fans have two tracks to sit with—signals of an artist expanding his universe, not leaving one behind.
Listen to Sonny Dread “Sleeping Lion” below!
Listen to Sonny Dread “Talk To God” below!