City High was an American R&B/hip hop trio consisting of rappers/singers Ryan Toby, Robbie Pardlo and Claudette Ortiz. City High is best known for their song, "What Would You Do?", which earned a Grammy nomination.
Career
City High issued "What Would You Do?" from their 2001 self-titled album. Their follow-up single was "Caramel". A remix was released, featuring rapper Eve. The final single from the group's debut and only album was "City High Anthem".
Throughout high school, Ortiz dated future City High bandmate Robby Pardlo. After meeting and performing for Wyclef Jean, they were signed to his Booga Basement recording label. As Wooga Booga already had a duo, they asked Ryan Toby to join and became a trio, which completed the City High trio. After breaking up with Pardlo, Ortiz went into a relationship and later married former bandmate Toby in 2004. They later divorced in 2007.
In early 2002, City High shot several mini music video commercials for MTV, based on their own songs promoting the eleventh season of The Real World. The band also appeared in a series of mini commercials promoting 2002's The Real World: Chicago, before disbanding in 2003.
Pardlo appeared as the subject of an eighth season episode of the A&E television series, Intervention, in 2010 as an alcoholic. The show led to Pardlo working a program of recovery. He is still working in the music industry.
On June 13, 2013, Toby and Pardlo performed "What Would You Do?" at the Key Club in Hollywood during Lil' Kim's Return of the Queen Tour.
Discography
Albums
Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | City High
|
34 | 23 |
|
Singles
Year | Song | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. | U.S. R&B | U.S. Rap | CAN | UK | |||
2001 | "What Would You Do?" | 8 | 13 | 1 | 19 | 3 | City High |
"Caramel" |
18 | 9 | — | — | 9 | ||
2002 | "City High Anthem" | — | — | — | — | — |
Charities
City High supports the following charitable cause: Teens.