The Tragic R&B Trio: 5 Shocking Facts About City High’s Rise, Love Triangle, And 2024 Solo Comebacks

The R&B trio City High remains one of the most compelling and tragic stories in early 2000s music, a group whose brief but brilliant career was overshadowed by an explosive internal love triangle that ultimately led to their demise. As of December 15, 2025, the legacy of their Grammy-nominated hit "What Would You Do?" endures, but the lives of its members—Claudette Ortiz, Ryan Toby, and the late Robbie Pardlo—have taken dramatically different paths, marked by solo success, personal struggles, and recent solo projects in 2024 that signal a new chapter for the surviving artists. This deep dive uncovers the scandalous details, the tragic loss, and the current status of the artists who once defined a generation's conversation on social issues through R&B. The group, which formed in 1999, was famously mentored by hip-hop icon Wyclef Jean, who helped craft their distinctive sound—a blend of gritty hip-hop storytelling with smooth R&B vocals. Their debut and only studio album, *City High* (2001), was a critical success, but the internal drama, which unfolded almost as quickly as their rise to fame, ensured the trio would be remembered as much for their personal lives as for their music.

The City High Trio: Complete Member Profiles and Biography

City High was composed of three distinct voices, each bringing a unique element to the group's dynamic, both on and off the record. The biographies of the members are intertwined with the group's dramatic and short history.

• Claudette Ortiz (The Lead Vocalist)
  • Born: July 21, 1981, in New York City, New York.
  • Role in City High: Main female vocalist and the subject of the infamous love triangle.
  • Pre-City High: Met Robbie Pardlo in high school in New Jersey, and they began dating before the group was formed.
  • Post-City High Career: Appeared on the VH1 reality series *R&B Divas: Los Angeles* in 2013, where she openly discussed the group's dramatic breakup and her life as a single mother. She has continued to pursue a solo career, releasing singles like "Settle."
  • Personal Life: Married fellow group member Ryan Toby, but they later divorced. She is a mother of three children.
• Ryan Toby (The Singer-Songwriter)
  • Born: November 26, 1976, in Willingboro, New Jersey.
  • Role in City High: Singer, rapper, and primary songwriter.
  • Pre-City High: Gained initial fame as an actor, most notably for his role as the choir member Wesley Glen in the 1993 film *Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit*, where he performed the song "Oh Happy Day." He also wrote songs for artists like Usher and Mary J. Blige.
  • Post-City High Career: Continued his work as a songwriter and producer, contributing to projects for artists like Will Smith and Marc Anthony. He also released solo music, with a significant update being the release of his latest project, the EP *Passport*, in 2024.
  • Personal Life: Married Claudette Ortiz after the group disbanded, sharing two children with her before their divorce. He has since remarried.
• Robbie Pardlo (The Rapper/Vocalist)
  • Born: c. 1968.
  • Role in City High: Rapper and vocalist, known for his raw, street-level delivery on tracks like "What Would You Do?".
  • Pre-City High: Was Claudette Ortiz's original boyfriend and best friend to Ryan Toby, a dynamic that set the stage for the group's internal conflict.
  • Tragic Death: Died on July 17, 2014, at the age of 46 in Willingboro, New Jersey.
  • Struggles: Struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction following the group's breakup. Reports indicated he was hospitalized for complications from heart failure before his passing.

The Scandal That Ended a Grammy-Nominated Career: The Infamous Love Triangle

The story of City High's rapid dissolution is a cautionary tale of mixing business with personal relationships, centered on a dramatic love triangle that tore the trio apart.

When the group formed, Claudette Ortiz and Robbie Pardlo were a couple, and Robbie and Ryan Toby were close friends.

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During their time together, a romantic relationship developed between Claudette and Ryan, a betrayal that shattered the personal and professional foundation of the group.

The tension culminated in a shocking confrontation: Robbie Pardlo reportedly walked in on Claudette and Ryan, leading to an immediate and irreparable rift.

This betrayal was the definitive factor in the group's breakup in 2003, just two years after their debut album was released.

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In a twist that further complicated the narrative, Claudette and Ryan later married and had two children together, though they eventually divorced. The emotional fallout of the love triangle, coupled with the pressure of fame, proved too much for the young artists to handle, especially for Robbie Pardlo, who reportedly struggled to cope with the loss of his girlfriend, his best friend, and his career simultaneously.

Where Are They Now? Solo Careers, Tragedy, and 2024 Updates

The years following the breakup saw the members navigate very different paths, ranging from reality TV to tragic personal loss, with 2024 marking a significant period of solo re-emergence for the surviving members.

Robbie Pardlo's Tragic End

Robbie Pardlo's struggle with addiction became a public tragedy. After the group's split, he faced personal demons, including alcoholism and drug dependency, which were exacerbated by the loss of his career and relationships.

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In 2014, the news broke that Pardlo had passed away at the age of 46. While an official cause of death was not immediately determined, sources close to the family indicated he was hospitalized due to complications from heart failure.

His death cemented the group's legacy as a story of unfulfilled potential and the dark side of sudden fame, leaving fans to mourn the loss of a talented, yet troubled, voice.

Ryan Toby's 2024 Music Comeback and Sister Act Legacy

Ryan Toby has maintained a steady career in the music industry as a songwriter and producer, but he has recently stepped back into the spotlight as a solo artist.

In a major update for 2024, Toby released his new project, the EP titled *Passport*. This release signifies a renewed focus on his solo artistry, moving beyond his past as both a City High member and the iconic Wesley from *Sister Act 2*.

Toby has used recent interviews to reflect on his entire career, from his childhood role in the beloved film to the complexities of the City High era, confirming his commitment to new music and future projects. His work continues to explore the R&B and Soul genres he helped define.

Claudette Ortiz: From Reality TV to Solo Artist

Claudette Ortiz has leveraged her public profile to restart her career, most notably through her appearance on *R&B Divas: Los Angeles*.

On the show, she provided her perspective on the love triangle and the challenges of being a single mother following her divorce from Ryan Toby.

Musically, Ortiz has been actively working on her debut solo album. While a release date is not yet confirmed, she has released singles like "Settle," demonstrating her powerful vocal talent remains intact and her commitment to a solo career is strong.

The potential for a City High reunion, though discussed by Ryan Toby, is now impossible in its original form due to Robbie Pardlo's death. However, the 2024 activity from both surviving members shows that the musical spirit and talent of City High continue to live on through their individual projects, captivating the curiosity of fans who remember the group's sensational rise and fall. The story of City High is a powerful reminder that behind every hit song lies a complex, human drama.