R.I.P. - Robbie Pardlo (†46, City-High-Sänger), 17. Juli 2025

Robbie Pardlo – The Voice of City High Falls Silent at 46

On July 17, 2025, Robbie Pardlo, the charismatic singer of the R&B band City High, passed away at the age of just 46 in Willingboro, New Jersey. According to several US media outlets, Pardlo was surrounded by family and friends at the time of his death. The exact cause of death has not yet been officially confirmed, but some sources suggest heart failure. The family is currently planning a public memorial service, the details of which will be announced in the coming days.

Pardlo leaves behind his wife Anika, their children Lyric and Chord-Andrew, his mother Marion, and his brother Gregory Pardlo – a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet.

From high school talent to Grammy-nominated artist

Robert Anthony Pardlo Jr., born on August 13, 1978, in Willingboro, New Jersey, grew up in a musical family and demonstrated early talent for singing and songwriting. He and his then-girlfriend Claudette Ortiz formed the group City High in the late 1990s. After performing for Wyclef Jean, they were signed to his label Booga Basement. Ryan Toby joined the group to complement the duo, and the trio was born.
City High shot to fame in 2001 with the socially critical song "What Would You Do?" The song, which addressed topics such as poverty, sex work, and child abuse, reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy in the category "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group." The second single, "Caramel," a sensual R&B track featuring rapper Eve, also reached the Top 20 and cemented the group's status as the voice of a generation.

The group's eponymous debut album, City High, was released in May 2001 and was praised by critics for its honest lyrics and genre-spanning sound. It peaked at number 34 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold.

Ups and Downs – Pardlo's Life After City High

After the group disbanded in 2003 due to personal tensions and creative differences, Pardlo struggled with alcohol addiction, which was publicly addressed in an episode of the A&E series Intervention. The show vividly depicted his family's attempts to persuade him to seek rehabilitation. Pardlo accepted help and reached a turning point in his life in 2010.

He remained musically active: with the R&B group First Take, he performed with Whitney Houston and Lil' Kim, among others, and worked as a backup singer and songwriter. Despite setbacks, Pardlo remained a passionate musician and family man – he symbolically named his children after musical terms: Lyric and Chord-Andrew.

A Legacy of Honesty and Emotion

City High was more than just a one-hit wonder. The group spoke uncomfortable truths and gave a platform to marginalized voices. Robbie Pardlo was the emotional center of this movement – his voice carried stories that touched and provoked reflection.

His death is a loss to the R&B and hip-hop community, but his musical legacy lives on. What Would You Do? remains a monument to empathy and social justice – and Robbie Pardlo will never be forgotten as an artist who sang with his heart and soul.

 

Last edited: Jul 26, 2025 at 2:57 PM