City High

City High were an American R&B and hip-hop trio formed in Willingboro, New Jersey, around 2000, consisting of Claudette Ortiz, Ryan Toby and Robby Pardlo. The group was discovered and mentored by Wyclef Jean, who signed them to his Booga Basement imprint through Interscope Records, and his influence shaped their blend of socially conscious storytelling with radio-friendly R&B hooks.

Their self-titled debut album, released in 2001, produced the massive hit «What Would You Do?», a song addressing the harsh realities faced by a young mother turning to sex work, delivered over a melodic, sing-along chorus that made it a crossover success on pop and R&B charts alike. The follow-up single «Caramel», featuring Eve, continued their run of radio success and showcased Ortiz's soulful lead vocals alongside Toby's and Pardlo's rap verses.

City High's sound distinguished itself within early-2000s R&B by pairing dark, narrative-driven lyrics with polished production, a formula that echoed Wyclef's own storytelling instincts from the Fugees. Despite their commercial breakthrough, internal tensions led to the group's split not long after their debut, and members went on to pursue solo and songwriting careers, but their brief run left a lasting mark on early-2000s urban pop.