First Time Listening to City High

If you are new or probably weren't around in the 2000s, I bet you are wondering who is this group City High.

City High is well-known hip hop group in the 2000s. The hip hop was formed in 1999 by Wyclef Jean after two former high school sweethearts: Robbie Pardlo and Claduette Jean met and performed for him. Later, actor and songwriter Ryan Toby was invited to be apart of the trio. You might be familiar with Ryan Toby, if you have watched Sister Act 2, Ryan Toby played Wesley Glen "Ahmal" James (the guy who sang "Oh Happy Day")

The trio was signed and later released their self titled album in 2001. In the 2000's, I have heard 2 songs from City High before “Two Wrongs”ft Wyclef Jean (even though Claudette was the only one from the group singing in this song)and their Grammy nominated song "What Would You Do?".

Wyclef Jean ft. Claudette Jean (of City High)

Even though this song is not on the album, I want to say this song is such an awesome underrated song. Instead of ft “City High” because I only see one member on this song. It should say "feat. Claudette Jean" .

After 20 years since their debut album, I haven’t heard the whole album at all, so I thought why not listen to their debut album City High (2001) and here’s what I think of all the tracks......

The album contains 14 tracks. In the bonus track album (2002), it contains 15 tracks and the UK bonus track album it contains 16 tracks.

Track #1 "Didn't Ya"

The first track "Didn't Ya" it started with a hip hop beat and Claudette Jean's soft vocals. Then it came hard with through the song. The song was describing like questioning a sneaky cheating boyfriend or cheating girlfriend and end with the question "Didn't Ya?".

Track #2 “Three Way”

"Three Way" is very interesting track. It started with Ryan singing "da-dig-doggone" I don't know it was kind of catchy. I like the flow of the song. This song tells a lover creepy and sneaking on someone.

Fun Fact: Kendrick Lamar and Sia co-wrote this song.

Track #3 "Why"

"Why" starts off with a slow soft melodic piano tone then steady hip hop beat, this song talks about a hooking up after a break up. It's kind of different than the first track but better than the first one. So far, I love how this song flows. It was meaningful, straightforward and groundbreaking.

Track #4 "A Song for You"

"A Song for You" starts with the guitar playing and Wyclef introducing City High. I love Robbie's vocals in this song. His vocals are strong and outpouring his heart out in this romantic song. I only hear Robbie's vocals in the track. Not Claudette and Ryan. Like this song is made for Robbie.

Track #5 "15 Will Get You 20"

"15 Will Get You 20" I didn't understand what that means until I looked it up.

Defintion:

warning of the danger of engaging in sexual intimacy with a girl who is physically --- but not chronologically --- mature.

When I heard this song, it was like they were telling a story about mature adults hanging out with underage teen and would most likely get into prison. Now I understand this song completely!

Track #6 "Cats and Dogs"

"Cats and Dogs"is kind of similar to Outkast "B.O.B" but this time until it kind of hit fast then kind of slow on the beat.

Track #7 “Caramel”

This song hit me like a flashback. At first, I didn’t know what this song was about until I heard it and I realized that I have heard this song before in the 2000s before but I guess I was too busy thinking about the "What Would You Do? But this song is the most forgotten song that has hidden. Plus, I thought Amerie was singing this song at the time.

My favorite line from this song

"Five-five with brown eyes smile like a sunrise"

I like both version with and without the remix with rapper Eve but I'm gonna have to go with the original version. I loved how Claudette went bilingual on this song pretty much representing her Puerto Rican side.

The Music Video (feat Eve)

The music video shows Ryan Toby and Robbie on the computer designing Claudette she comes to life lures the guys in which later takes them in a world of "making their own movie/music video".

Fun Fact: This song was in the re-release album and bonus track edition.

Track #8 "Best Friends"

"Best Friends" is like two friends helping each other to get a girl. And the other friend contacts the girl his best friend loves. This song is like friends helping friends out.

Track #9 “Sista”

"Sista"mellows to the piano, Robbie and Toby having a conversation, then comes the beat. This song talks about a friend secretly dating/falling in love with his friends sister. This song is sinister and shocking.

Track #10"What Would You Do"

My all time favorite song in the 2000s. I love how this song was telling the story about a girl who is a struggling single mother working as a stripper in order to take care of her son while her son's father is out of their life and in prison. But this song has so much meaning like question "if you were in my shoes, what would you do living the broke life?"

Music Video

This music video starts off with City High telling a story of a girl they know who is a single mother and is now a stripper working hard for her son but she keeps getting judge.

11. "So Many Things"

"So Many Things" starts off a guitar playing beautifully. This song touches my heart but it kind of has a familiar tune. I don't know if I could out what tune that is familiar to this song. But this song is better than A Song For You because Robbie's vocals is more vibrant than A Song For You and I can hear Ryan's vocals part of this song which is a little better. But this song is missing the final touch. It could've add a little finale to the song.

12. "The Only One I Trust"

"The Only One I Trust"track sounds soap opera-ish, Claudette sings about the man she loves. It's like the hip hop version of run joey run.

13. "City High Anthem"

"City High Anthem" had like a Jimi Hendrix guitar riff with piano. The lyrics are relevant, touching and relatable what's going on in our lives.

14. "You Don't Know Me"

"You Don't Know Me" is like a Stevie Wonder funky tune mix with "The Humpty Dance". This song is about judging someone you don't know. This song is like something that Stevie Wonder would write even though I looked it up and found nothing. He didn't write this song!



15. "Do the Right Thing " 16. "Nothing Stays the Same"

I couldn't find these songs on YouTube I don't know why.

After reviewing this whole album, i would give the rating 7.5/10

The album gives me such a throwback vibe, all of the songs are lyrically are true and straight forward, half of the songs were like storytelling, and the groups vocals are in sync with all of the songs it made me feel that they were destined to be a 2000s Fugees (even though Wyclef helped this group). So far, I love Caramel, Didn't Ya, Why, What Would Yo Do?, and You Don't Know Me.