City High

City High
Company type	Group
Industry	Music
Founded	2001
Founder	Ryan Toby, Robbie Pardlo, Claudette Ortiz
Defunct	2002
Headquarters	United States
Products	Hip-hop and R&B music

City High was a United States-based hip-hop and R&B group composed of Ryan Toby, Robbie Pardlo, and Claudette Ortiz. Their most prominent track, the 2001 single "What Would You Do?", produced by Wyclef Jean, climbed into the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and received a nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards. Their sole studio album, City High, released in May 2001, garnered positive reviews, achieved moderate placement on the Billboard 200 chart, and included the Hot 100 top-20 hit "Caramel" featuring Eve. Despite these achievements, the ensemble dissolved soon afterward.

Career

In 2001, City High introduced their debut single "What Would You Do?" from their first album. This was followed by the track "Caramel", which also had a remix featuring rapper Eve. The album’s last single released was "City High Anthem".

Prior to City High’s formation, Claudette Ortiz and Robbie Pardlo were high school partners. After showcasing their talent to Wyclef Jean, they secured a deal with his Booga Basement label. Because Booga Basement already had a duo signed, Ryan Toby was brought in to complete the trio known as City High. Following her split with Pardlo, Ortiz became involved with Toby; they married in 2004 but ended their marriage in 2007.

Reflecting on the group's split, Toby explained: "We recorded a second album that didn’t match the quality of our first; it felt rushed. There was tension within the group, and the chemistry was lacking. Ultimately, we chose to part ways."

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

Albums

Studio albums with selected chart rankings and certifications
Title	Album information	Highest chart positions							Certifications
Title	Album information	US	US R&B	CAN	GER	NZ	UK	UK R&B	Certifications
City High	Release date: May 22, 2001 Labels: Booga Basement, Interscope Available formats: CD, digital download, LP	34	23	55	82	11	89	14	RIAA: Gold

Singles

Compilation of singles including select chart rankings and certifications, along with release year and corresponding album
Title	Year	Highest chart positions achieved									Certifications	Album
Title	Year	US	US R&B	US Rhythmic	AUS	CAN	GER	NZ	SWI	UK	Certifications	Album
"What Would You Do?"	2001	8	13	2	2	19	24	20	7	3	ARIA: Gold BPI: Platinum	City High
"Caramel" (featuring Eve)	2001	18	9	3	47	—	70	—	72	9
"City High Anthem"	2002	—	—	36	—	—	—	—	—	—