City High

This article is about the R&B trio. For their self-titled debut album, see City High (album).

City High
OriginWillingboro Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Years active1999–2003
Labels
Past members

City High were an American hip-hop and R&B trio composed of Ryan Toby, Robbie Pardlo, and Claudette Ortiz. The group's biggest hit, the Wyclef Jean-produced 2001 single and MTV-staple, "What Would You Do?", peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards.[1][2]

Released in May 2001, the trio's sole studio album, City High (2001), earned critical praise, moderately entered the Billboard 200, and spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top 20 single "Caramel" (featuring Eve). Despite its relative success, City High disbanded shortly after.[3]

Career

In 2001, City High released "What Would You Do?" from their self-titled album. Their follow-up single was "Caramel", with a remix featuring rapper Eve.[4] The final single from the group's debut and only album was "City High Anthem".

Prior to the creation of City High, bandmates Claudette Ortiz and Robbie Pardlo dated throughout their high school years.[5] After meeting and performing for Wyclef Jean, they were signed to his Booga Basement recording label. As Wooga Booga already had a duo, they invited Ryan Toby and became the City High trio instead.[5]

Following her breakup with Pardlo, Ortiz went on to date Toby. Ortiz and Toby married in 2004. They divorced in 2007.[6][7]

About the disbandment, Toby said: "We did a second album, it wasn't as good as the first album, it was a little rushed. There was some turmoil in the group, the vibe and chemistry was off. We decided to walk away."[8]

Pardlo died in Willingboro, New Jersey, from heart failure on July 17, 2025, at the age of 46.[9]

Discography

Albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[10] 		US
R&B
[11] 		CAN
[12] 		GER
[13] 		NZ
[14] 		UK
[15] 		UK
R&B
[15]
City High 34 23 55 82 11 89 14

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[17] 		US
R&B
[18] 		US
Rhyth.
[19] 		AUS
[20] 		CAN
[21] 		GER
[13] 		NZ
[14] 		SWI
[22] 		UK
[15]
"What Would You Do?" 2001 8 13 2 2 19 24 20 7 3 City High
"Caramel"
(featuring Eve) 		18 9 3 47 — 70 — 72 9
"City High Anthem" 2002 — — 36 — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

  1. ^ "City High | Artist | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  2. ^ Sfetcu, Nicolae (May 7, 2014). The Music Sound. Nicolae Sfetcu.
  3. ^ Skripnikov, Ilya (January 26, 2010). "City High's Robby Pardlo Faces 'Intervention' On A&E". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  4. ^ Smith, Kerry L. "City High | Music Videos, News, Photos, Tour Dates, Ringtones, and Lyrics | MTV". MTV. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Claudette Ortiz From City High Defends Herself From Wily Temptress Accusations". Dimewars. February 2, 2010. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  6. ^ "Black Voices - Black News, Entertainment, Style and Culture". Huffpost.com. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  7. ^ "Ryan Toby Interview". Randb.about.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  8. ^ "Ryan Toby Talks Solo Career, City High Debut Album, Writing Behind The Scenes (Exclusive) - YouKnowIGotSoul.com". You Know I Got Soul. June 5, 2020. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  9. ^ Bryant, Xaviera (July 18, 2025). "Robbie Pardlo, Former City High Singer, Passes Away At 46". Icecreamconvos.com. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  10. ^ "Billboard 200 – Week of June 9, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  11. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Week of June 9, 2001". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  12. ^ "Albums : Top 100". Jam!. July 12, 2001. Archived from the original on December 10, 2004. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Discographie von City High". GfK Entertainment (in German). Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Discography City High". charts.nz. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c "City High". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  16. ^ "American certifications – City High". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  17. ^ "City High – Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  18. ^ "City High – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  19. ^ "City High – Chart History: Rhythmic Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  20. ^ "Discography City High". australian-charts.com. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  21. ^ "City High – Chart History: Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  22. ^ "Discographie City High". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  23. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  24. ^ "British certifications – City High". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 21, 2024. Type City High in the "Search:" field.
  25. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – City High". Radioscope. Retrieved January 25, 2026. Type City High in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
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