Robbie Pardlo, the soulful voice behind City High’s unforgettable hit “What Would You Do?”, has died at just 46 years old.
The heartbreaking news was confirmed earlier this week from Willingboro, New Jersey, where the R&B singer reportedly passed away. While fans across the world are mourning the loss of a ’90s icon, many are also asking the painful question, what exactly happened to Robbie Pardlo?
According to TMZ, the exact cause of death hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. But a source close to the family told Ice Cream Convos that the former City High member was hospitalized earlier in the week due to serious complications from heart failure. Sadly, he didn’t make it. He died just two days after being admitted, leaving behind a grieving family and a legacy filled with talent, struggle, and emotional highs and lows.
This isn’t the first time Robbie’s health has made headlines. Longtime fans might remember his brutally honest episode of A&E’s Intervention in 2010, where he opened up about his painful journey with alcohol and drug addiction. That episode showed a man haunted by heartbreak, particularly from his 2003 breakup with his former bandmate and girlfriend, Claudette Ortiz. Their relationship ended on messy terms, with Claudette later sharing that Robbie’s addiction often led to abusive outbursts and even threats. His behavior back then wasn’t just hard on her, it deeply affected their daughter, Lyric.
Despite hitting rock bottom, Robbie did manage to turn things around, at least for a while. After rehab in 2010, he achieved sobriety by October that year. For many fans, it was a turning point. He even hinted at his continued recovery during a 2017 interview. But the recent reports suggest Robbie may have relapsed in the years leading up to his death. Still, no other specific health conditions were made public, leaving heart failure as the leading theory for now.
Born on August 13, 1978, Robbie Pardlo grew up chasing the dream. He co-founded City High alongside Claudette Ortiz and Ryan Toby. Their group skyrocketed in the early 2000s with their 2001 hit “What Would You Do?”, a song that landed at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and even earned them a Grammy nomination. But after City High disbanded in 2003, Robbie’s addiction struggles overshadowed his potential. Although his solo career didn’t quite take off, he did collaborate with heavyweights like Whitney Houston and Lil Kim, showing that the industry never forgot his raw talent.
Offstage, Robbie Pardlo was just a guy who loved his Philadelphia Eagles and doted on his family. He was married to Anika Pardlo, and together they had two kids, Lyric and Chord-Andrew. He’s also survived by his mother, Marion Pardlo; his brother, the acclaimed poet Gregory Pardlo; his aunt, Cynthia Boyer; and even his beloved German Shepherd, named Lieutenant Commander Geordi LA Forge (yes, like the Star Trek character).
As the family grieves and begins planning memorial services and tributes, fans are flooding social media with throwbacks, music clips, and messages of support. The legacy Robbie Pardlo leaves behind is layered, filled with fame, pain, recovery, and love. He was far from perfect, but he was always real. And that’s exactly what made his voice hit so deep.
For those of us who grew up on City High, Robbie Pardlo wasn’t just another singer, he was the guy who gave voice to real-life struggles in a way that felt raw and relatable. Rest in power, Robbie. Your story may have ended too soon, but your music still plays on.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
