City High’s Robby Pardlo Dead; Singer Helped Propel 2001 Hit 'What Would You Do?'

Robby Pardlo — the New Jersey singer‑songwriter who co‑founded early‑2000s R&B trio City High — has died, friends confirmed Friday.

Public music bios list Pardlo’s birth year as 1977, which would make him 48 this year, though his family has not confirmed an exact date of birth.[1]

Terrill “Rellion” Paul, a longtime collaborator, announced the news in a Facebook post, calling Pardlo “one kind‑hearted person who would literally give the shirt off your back” and sharing recent photos of the two men alongside an early snapshot of the group. No cause of death has been released, and Pardlo’s family has yet to issue a formal statement.

Formed under Wyclef Jean’s Booga Basement imprint, City High — Pardlo, Claudette Ortiz and Ryan Toby — broke through in 2001 with “What Would You Do?,” an unflinching narrative about poverty and survival that reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for best R&B performance by a duo or group. The group’s gold‑certified, self‑titled debut also produced the Top 20 single “Caramel,” featuring Eve.

Behind the chart success, Pardlo wrestled with alcoholism. His struggle was chronicled in a 2010 episode of A&E’s “Intervention,” where he linked his addiction to the group’s abrupt breakup in 2003. Ortiz later alleged their teenage relationship had been abusive, telling Washington, D.C.’s Majic 102.3 in 2013 that she “had to choose safety over the group.” Pardlo did not publicly respond to those claims but credited the televised rehab program with a lengthy stretch of sobriety.

After City High dissolved, Pardlo largely retreated from the spotlight, surfacing for occasional writing sessions and small‑venue appearances. In his Facebook tribute, Paul said the two recently joked about “getting old together” and still “talking trash like Claud Banks and Ray Gibson,” the bickering cellmates from the 1999 film “Life.”

Funeral arrangements have not been announced. Paul ended his post with a promise to keep his friend’s legacy alive: “We were supposed to do life together… I will miss you so much.”

Sources
[1] Birth year appears as 1977 in AllMusic artist profile, Discogs database entry and A&M Records’ 2001 press kit; no family confirmation yet released.

Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation Donates to UH Law Center to Expand Criminal Justice Clinic

Joshua Lake, newly appointed director of the University of Houston Law Center’s Criminal Justice Clinic, will lead the expansion of the clinic, which is being funded by a significant donation from Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation. The donation aims to increase legal services for underserved communities in Houston. 

Beyoncé's BeyGOOD Foundation is no stranger to using its resources for change. But its latest initiative goes beyond a mere financial contribution — it’s a calculated push into one of America’s most pressing issues: criminal justice reform.

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) has received a major boost, thanks to BeyGOOD, which is helping expand its Criminal Justice Clinic through a significant donation of $100K. This isn’t just about providing immediate relief — it’s an investment in transforming how criminal justice is practiced and experienced, especially in Houston, a city plagued by systemic inequalities.

The funds will allow the clinic to grow and extend its reach to underserved communities. Joshua Lake, a seasoned criminal defense attorney with extensive experience in both federal and state cases, will now lead the clinic’s efforts. Lake, whose work has already made a significant impact, will oversee the expansion, training the next generation of lawyers to advocate for justice where it’s most needed. His leadership — coupled with the resources provided by BeyGOOD — signals a new era for UHLC’s commitment to those caught in a broken system.

“This donation is not just about expanding our capacity,” said Leonard M. Baynes, Dean of UHLC. “It’s about giving people a fighting chance — a chance to be represented and to have their voices heard. This is about transforming the future of criminal justice.”

For Beyoncé, this isn’t just another philanthropic gesture — it’s a direct response to the ongoing racial disparities within the criminal justice system. Houston, her hometown, is a city where Black and Brown communities have long felt the effects of over-policing, wrongful convictions, and racial profiling. This initiative ensures that those most affected by these systemic issues will have access to the resources and support they need. Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation is using its influence to bridge the gap and assist communities that often face the harshest consequences of legal injustice.

The clinic, which already provides hands-on experience for law students in criminal defense, will now have the capacity to serve even more individuals in need. Through this expansion, UHLC hopes not only to continue fighting on behalf of the wrongly accused but also to ensure that the next generation of attorneys understands the full scope of social justice and advocacy.

Beyoncé’s involvement extends beyond this donation. Her commitment to UHLC’s Criminal Justice Clinic is a part of her broader, long-term mission to reshape America’s legal and social landscape. The BeyGOOD Foundation’s strategic focus on criminal justice advocacy places Beyoncé at the forefront of a movement seeking to redefine how justice is served.

From 'Abbott Elementary' to 'Dope Thief,' Black Stars Break New Ground at Emmys

The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, airing live Sept. 14 on CBS and Paramount+, will spotlight a competitive and diverse field — including record-breaking nominations for Quinta Brunson and Ayo Edebiri and standout first-time nods for Brian Tyree Henry and Tramell Tillman.

The 2025 Emmy nominations just dropped — and while prestige dramas like “Severance,” “The White Lotus,” and “The Penguin” soaked up the most nods, a deeper look reveals a meaningful showing for Black talent across genres, from comedy and drama to limited series and talk shows. In fact, this year's nominations saw approximately 25.5% of all acting nominations go to actors of color, with Black performers making a significant impact across categories.

Black Excellence at the 2025 Emmys

• Quinta Brunson – Nominated for lead actress in a comedy and writing. Ties Tracee Ellis Ross for most lead comedy nods by a Black woman (4 total).
• Ayo Edebiri – First Black woman nominated for both acting and directing in comedy in the same year. Youngest to earn 3 acting Emmy noms.
• Sterling K. Brown – Lead actor nod for "Paradise" marks his seventh series with Emmy recognition, tying Don Cheadle’s record.
• Brian Tyree Henry – Earned a lead actor nod for "Dope Thief." Continues building a standout post-"Atlanta" resume.
• Tramell Tillman – First-time nominee for supporting actor in drama for his breakout role in "Severance."
• Janelle James – Supporting actress nominee for her scene-stealing role in "Abbott Elementary."
• Sheryl Lee Ralph – Repeat supporting nomination for "Abbott Elementary," adding to her late-career Emmy surge.

Winners will be announced at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, live from Los Angeles.

Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph are once again representing for “Abbott Elementary,” both earning repeat nominations for their sharp, hilarious work on the ABC hit. Janelle James also picked up a supporting actress nod, keeping the entire Abbott trio in the race for another year of Emmy love. Notably, Brunson's nomination marks her fourth acting nod, tying her with Tracee Ellis Ross for third most-nominated Black woman in lead comedy actress. She also made history by tying Stefani Robinson for most writing nominations by a Black woman (three total), and is the first to achieve all three writing nominations for a single series.

“The Bear” star Ayo Edebiri landed a nomination for lead actress in a comedy — a major bump from her previous supporting win. Beyond her acting nod, Edebiri also secured a directing nomination for "The Bear" episode "Napkins," making her the first woman nominated for acting and directing in comedy in the same year, and only the second Black woman nominated for comedy directing. At 29, she also becomes the youngest Black woman to receive three Emmy acting nominations. Meanwhile, Sterling K. Brown returned to the drama lead actor field for his role in “Paradise,” a series that continues to build critical momentum after a strong first season. This nomination marks his seventh different series to receive recognition, tying Don Cheadle for the most among Black male performers.

One of the most exciting newcomers? Brian Tyree Henry, nominated for lead actor in a limited series for “Dope Thief.” It’s another milestone for the “Atlanta” standout, who’s quietly building one of the most versatile careers of his generation.

Quick Look: Top Emmy Nominees by Program

• “Severance” (Apple TV+): 27 nominations
• “The Penguin” (HBO): 24 nominations
• “The White Lotus” (HBO): 23 nominations
• “The Studio” (Apple TV+): 23 nominations
• “The Bear” (FX): 13 nominations
• “Abbott Elementary” (ABC): 6 nominations
• “Adolescence” (Netflix): 13 nominations
• “Dying For Sex” (FX): 9 nominations
• “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (MTV): 8 nominations
• “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central): 8 nominations

Full list available at Emmys.com.

Tramell Tillman made waves in “Severance” and earned his first Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a drama, sharing the category with heavyweights like Sam Rockwell and Walton Goggins. Tillman’s breakout role as the chilling Mr. Milchick has become one of the show’s most talked-about performances.

On the reality and variety side, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” picked up another nomination for best competition series, while “The Daily Show,” now led by Jon Stewart, made the cut for outstanding talk series. Both continue to reflect the shifting cultural and political discourse in television.

But for all the deserved nods, the list also left some audiences asking questions. Where was Donald Glover? And what about the cultural juggernaut “Swarm”? While "Swarm" star Dominique Fishback did earn her first Emmy nod in 2023 for Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, the series itself was noticeably absent from major nominations this year, despite its impact. Even in a year of expanding representation, some of Black TV’s most experimental and genre-bending work went overlooked.

Still, the 2025 Emmys are shaping up to be one of the most competitive — and culturally rich — in recent memory. From network comedies to Apple TV+ thrillers, the nominations reflect a growing, if uneven, appetite for inclusion and depth in storytelling. Whether the winners follow that trend when the Emmys air September 14 remains to be seen.