City High’s Robbie Pardlo Dies at 46, R&B World Mourns
Holy moly, you guys – I am buzzing like three espresso shots on a Monday morning as I spill this: Robbie Pardlo, the charismatic lead singer of Grammy-nominated R&B trio City High, has passed away at 46, a rep confirmed to TMZ on July 18. His family surrounded him yesterday in Willingboro, NJ, according to TMZ, and while the cause of death remains undetermined, loved ones are already planning memorials to honor his infectious spirit.
I have THOUGHTS and FEELINGS, and we need to talk about this. Robbie first shot to fame in 2001 alongside groupmates Claudette Ortiz and Ryan Toby when Wyclef Jean produced their breakout single What Would You Do? Clamp-down on early-2000s nostalgia alerts, but seriously, that track still hits you right in the feels with its earnest questions about survival and sacrifice. Their follow-up single Caramel featured Eve and solidified City High as an R&B force, earning them a Best R&B Performance Grammy nomination in 2002, per Billboard chart archives. Fans and critics alike praised Pardlo’s smooth vocals and effortless charisma.
Post-City High, Robbie didn’t just fade into the background. He joined the R&B quartet First Take and lent his voice to collaborations with megastars Whitney Houston and Lil Kim, showing off his range and earning respect behind the scenes. I mean, can we talk about how many artists would kill for even a minute in the studio with Whitney? That’s the kind of runway Robbie had. And get this – he was a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles superfan who got to celebrate their championship win earlier this year, Balkan-style cheers and all, as noted by devoted fan forums.
Survived by his wife Anika Pardlo and their two kids, Lyric and Chord-Andrew, Robbie also leaves behind a creative family tree. His brother Gregory Pardlo is a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and professor, and his mother, Marion Pardlo, plus aunt Cynthia Boyer, are already sharing memories of his warm laugh and favorite coffee-run orders. Even Lieutenant Commander Geordi LA Forge, his loyal German Shepherd, is standing guard by the front door, ensuring no one forgets his old pal’s legacy.
Robbie’s influence on early-2000s R&B cannot be overstated. From MTV jams to late-night radio spins, his songs delivered heartfelt storytelling wrapped in slick production. Fans are already flooding social media with clips of live performances and heartfelt tributes. Music historians will surely revisit City High’s brief but brilliant catalog, and streaming numbers are spiking as listeners rediscover What Would You Do?
Stay tuned for details on Robbie’s upcoming public tribute concert and memorial service. Trust me, the family plans to celebrate every note of his life. I swear, I could talk about this all day.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, Billboard
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
