Robbie Pardlo of City High dies at 46 after heart failure issues

Robbie Pardlo’s Death at 46: Honoring a City High Legend

On July 17, 2025, Robbie Pardlo, beloved member of Grammy-nominated R\&B trio City High, died at age 46 in Willingboro, New Jersey. Known for his raw vocals on the early 2000s anthem “What Would You Do?” and “Two Wrongs” ft Wyclef Jean. Pardlo’s death comes as a sobering loss to fans of socially conscious R&B. While his cause of death has not been officially confirmed, multiple reports state that heart failure complications led to hospitalization two days prior.

As we reflect on Pardlo’s death, we also revisit City High’s musical impact and the larger story of group members lost in recent years.

City High Legacy: An Anthem for the Struggled and Silenced

Formed in the late 1990s, City High—composed of Robbie Pardlo, Claudette Ortiz, and Ryan Toby—emerged at a time when R\&B groups were beginning to fade from mainstream dominance. The late ’90s and early 2000s saw the tail end of the golden era of R&B collectives like En Vogue, 112, Jagged Edge, and TLC. But by the time City High dropped their debut, the industry had largely pivoted toward solo stars and radio-friendly pop formulas. In that sense, City High was a rarity—both in form and message.

Their breakout single, “What Would You Do?”—produced by Wyclef Jean—was far from a feel-good hit. First appearing on the Life soundtrack in 1999 and later peaking in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, the song tackled issues most artists avoided: poverty, single motherhood, and survival-driven sex work. It wasn’t sanitized for mass appeal. Instead, it delivered uncomfortable truths through Robbie Pardlo’s haunting vocals and Claudette Ortiz’s emotional perspective, forcing listeners to reconsider their own judgment.

Their self-titled debut album, released in 2001, built on that same foundation of honesty and grit. Songs like “Caramel” featuring Eve added layers of commentary on identity and desirability, while their harmonies and vocal chemistry gave weight to every lyric. The album reached No. 34 on the Billboard 200 and eventually went gold, cementing City High’s place as one of the most socially conscious acts of their time.

Robbie Pardlo Death: A Life Cut Short

Pardlo passed away on July 17, 2025, surrounded by family and close friends. According to Hindustan Times, he had been hospitalized since July 15 for heart-related complications. Though no official cause has been disclosed, family sources cited worsening health over the past year.

Fans poured their grief onto social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), with one post reading: “Robbie’s voice defined my high school years. Rest in power.” Memorial arrangements are expected to be announced soon.

City High Parts Ways

Though the group disbanded in 2003 due to creative and personal tensions—including the romantic breakup between Pardlo and Ortiz—their influence outlasted their discography. Few R&B groups, then or now, have tackled real-world struggles so directly. City High gave a voice to the overlooked: children in broken homes, women navigating desperation, and young people fighting cycles of trauma.

In an era where party anthems ruled the charts, City High stood out for telling the truth. Today, their music continues to resonate—on TikTok, in think pieces, and in the hearts of fans who felt seen, even if just for a three-minute verse.

Robbie Pardlo Career: Before and Beyond the Spotlight

Born in Willingboro, NJ, Pardlo’s musical journey began long before City High. He contributed to Whitney Houston’s 1999 My Love Is Your Love. A double-platinum album that showcased his talent for harmony and songwriting.

Following the group’s breakup, Pardlo joined the R&B quartet First Take. Ultimately, recording solo material while collaborating with artists like Lil’ Kim. Though he never reached the same chart success again, his raw, emotional delivery remained powerful.

In addition to his music, Pardlo was an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan and celebrated their 2025 Super Bowl victory on social media just months before his death. His brother, Gregory Pardlo—a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet—has frequently spoken about their shared creative passions and emotional depth.

Struggles Behind the Spotlight

Behind the music, Pardlo faced private demons that eventually became public. He struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction as early as the City High days. His breakup in 2003 with groupmate and romantic partner Claudette Ortiz only deepened his downward spiral. In 2010, his battle with substance abuse was spotlighted on A&E’s Intervention. Where viewers saw the toll his drinking had taken—particularly on his daughter, Lyric.

Ortiz later spoke about the toxic and, at times, abusive nature of their relationship. She recalled incidents involving drunken outbursts and physical threats, which she attributed to Pardlo’s deep-rooted issues with addiction. The transparency surrounding their pain was rare for early 2000s artists, and it left a lasting impression on fans who often only saw the glamor of stardom.

Despite the public unraveling, Pardlo made strides toward recovery. After completing rehab in 2010, he celebrated sobriety and appeared more stable during a 2017 interview. Giving fans hope for a new chapter. Sadly, recent reports suggest a possible relapse prior to his passing. No other health concerns have been disclosed, but the pattern of struggle and recovery was a defining part of his life.

Music Group Losses: A Pattern of Premature Goodbyes

Robbie Pardlo joins a heartbreaking list of music group members lost too soon. TLC’s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes died in 2002 in a car crash at just 30 years old. R\&B icon Aaliyah, who frequently collaborated with groups and duos, died in a 2001 plane crash at 22.

Frankie Beverly, beloved lead singer of Frankie Beverly and The Maze, passed away after a battle of cancer. D’Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has died at the age of 64. He passed away after a year-long battle with bladder cancer. 

Each of these losses, like Pardlo’s, underscores the fragile nature of fame, health, and mental well-being in the music industry.

Public Reaction Mourning: The Internet Grieves

Robbie Pardlo’s passing sparked emotional tributes from fans and fellow musicians alike. X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with messages like “City High helped me through tough times. RIP Robbie.” Others shared clips of “What Would You Do?” and praised Pardlo’s distinctive vocal tone.

Although neither Claudette Ortiz nor Ryan Toby has issued public statements, their silence speaks volumes. Pardlo’s final Instagram post—featuring a throwback studio photo—has become a digital memorial . With thousands commenting “Thank you for the music.”

Remembering Robbie Pardlo: A Legacy That Lives On

Robbie Pardlo’s death represents more than a celebrity loss—it reflects the struggles many artists face after the fame fades. His voice soundtracked an era, but his life also tells a sobering story of addiction. In addition to heartbreak, and the toll of fame.

If you were touched by City High’s music or moved by the broader pattern of music group tragedies, his story deserves to be remembered. For fans of R&B, it’s a moment of collective mourning and reflection.