💔 A Heartbreaking Loss: Robbie Pardlo Has Passed Away
It’s with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Robbie Pardlo, beloved singer and former member of the R&B trio City High.
According to a source close to the family, Robbie was hospitalized on Tuesday due to complications from heart failure.
Sadly, he transitioned on Thursday.
🎤 The Voice Behind The Music
Robbie Pardlo wasn’t just a talented vocalist—he was a deeply compassionate and kind-hearted soul whose music touched millions.
Long before City High made their mark on the music charts, Robbie’s voice could be heard on Whitney Houston’s 1999 hit “My Love Is Your Love.”
The chart-topping track reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, went double platinum, and remains a fan favorite to this day.
But Robbie’s major breakthrough came with City High, a group that skyrocketed to fame in the early 2000s with their thought-provoking and soulful storytelling.
🎶 City High: A Brief But Impactful Journey
Formed in the late ’90s, City High—comprised of Robbie Pardlo, Claudette Ortiz, and Ryan Toby—delivered raw, honest music that resonated deeply with fans.
Their debut single, “What Would You Do?”, which originally appeared on the Life soundtrack (starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence), became a cultural moment.
The song peaked in the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned the group a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.
Their self-titled debut album City High dropped in 2001 and featured additional hits like “Caramel” (featuring Eve) and “City High Anthem.”
Though the group disbanded shortly after, their music left an indelible mark on R&B and hip-hop fans.
🥺 A Struggle Hidden Behind The Spotlight
In 2003, while City High was still riding the wave of fame, Robbie’s life took a sharp turn.
What looked like a dream career—red carpets with Will and Jada, touring with Eve—was clouded by heartbreak.
He had been in a relationship with group member Claudette Ortiz, who later began dating and married their fellow bandmate Ryan Toby in 2004.
The emotional toll sent Robbie into a downward spiral.
He began struggling with alcoholism, a battle he later revealed had begun during his time with the group.
That pain came to light in 2010 on A&E’s reality series “Intervention,” where his family staged an emotional, on-camera plea for him to seek treatment—especially for the sake of his young daughter, Lyric.
“I was just on the red carpet with Will Smith and Jada, performing with Eve, and I was like, ‘Hahaaa!’”
Robbie recalled on the show. But behind the laughter, he was battling deep emotional wounds.
🕊️ A Life Marked By Compassion & Brotherhood
Despite the struggles, Robbie’s heart never changed.
Terrill Paul, a longtime friend and musical collaborator of Robbie who currently sings backup for Bobby Brown, took to Facebook to express his heartbreak:
“I didn’t want to post this because I didn’t want to believe it was true… Robbie, I’m going to miss you like crazy. I can’t stop crying.”
He went on to describe Robbie as a selfless and loyal friend who once welcomed him into his home without hesitation.
“You and your family took me in and never stopped loving me. All because you saw the need and asked your mother if I could live with you guys. That was the person you were.”
The bond between the two was so deep that they would often joke about growing old together like Claud Banks and Ray Gibson from Life—the very film that featured City High’s breakout song.
🙏 Keeping His Family In Our Thoughts
Robbie Pardlo’s loss is profound, and his legacy lives on through his unforgettable music and the love he poured into everyone around him.
Please join me in uplifting his wife, children, family, and friends during this incredibly painful time.
May he rest in peace.
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