In 2001, "What Would You Do?" was released as part of the band's eponymous debut to radio with a new mix that interpolated Dr. Dre's The Next Episode into the bridge. The song, a story seen from different perspectives about a young woman who becomes a stripper to feed her child, became a U.S. Pop #8 and R&B #13 hit. The band's follow-up single, Caramel, found Ortiz singing lead and Pardlo on the bridge. In the original version, there is also a section where Ortiz sings in Spanish. For radio release, the song was remixed to include the rapper Eve. "Caramel" was a U.S. Pop #18 and R&B #9 hit. The remix was done by Trackmasters. The final single from the group's debut was City High Anthem, which failed to make a big impact on urban and top 40 markets. Once again, however, a remix was released, featuring rapper Styles P.
In early 2002, City High shot several mini music video commercials for MTV based on their own songs promoting the 11th season of The Real World set in Chicago.
Their debut self-titled album sold millions and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2003. City High members Ryan Toby and Claudette Ortiz got married on October 14, 2004.
City High disbanded in 2003.
Sista
City High Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Verse 1
Now youz my boy n all but we need to talk lets stop at a store bring ya boy
Lets hit the park you might rap 4a min but don't take it to hard cuz I'm hopin
Afta words ya still be my partner it's hard for me to express how I'm feelin and
When you here this news you might hit the ceelin but I'm willin to let you kno
The truth and infact it's betta I tell you before you here this story backwords
Its about this new gurl I'm creepin it's my little secret and I can hardley keep
Chorus
Ya sista I've been wit her for a while now and theres u can do bout it 2x
Verse2
The first time I've ever seen her y'all moved around my way I was dyin to meet
Her but I met you first and we became real cool started hangin out in now why
You reachin for your tool and no need for no beef so stop actin irrational im
Still that same brotha who had ya back for you you know I never hurt you or
Tried to be foul besides you don't want your niece to grow up with out a daddy
Around thats right your baby sister is quite pregnant we allready checked and
Are meeting witha reveran
Chorus
Its ya sista I've been wit her(wit her) I've been wit her for a while now and
Theres nothin you can do bout it it's ya sista I've been wit her for a while (cuz
I love her) ya sista I've been wit her for a while now (this is stresin me out)
Ya sista ya still my best friend
Hook
Ya sista you kno I love her I would never hurt her never leave her 6x
No no no no in back ground
The lyrics to City High's song "Sista" tell the story of a man who has been secretly dating his best friend's little sister. He hesitantly reveals this news to his friend, hoping that their friendship will not be ruined. The first verse sets up the conversation, with the singer telling his friend that they need to talk about something important. In the second verse, the singer recalls the first time he met his friend's sister and how they started dating. He also reveals that she is pregnant and that they are meeting with a reverend. Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes that he loves and would never hurt the woman he is dating.
Overall, the song explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and love. It shows the complexities of human relationships and how difficult it can be to navigate the boundaries between friends and family. The singer struggles to balance his love for his girlfriend with his loyalty to his friend, who may feel betrayed by the relationship. However, he also acknowledges the importance of being honest and upfront about his feelings, rather than keeping them a secret.
Line by Line Meaning
Now youz my boy n all but we need to talk lets stop at a store bring ya boy
I need to have a serious conversation with you, my friend, so let's go to a store and bring your friend along with us.
Lets hit the park you might rap 4a min but don't take it to hard cuz I'm hopin
We can go to the park and you can freestyle for a bit, but please don't take this conversation too personally because it's hard for me to say.
Afta words ya still be my partner it's hard for me to express how I'm feelin and
After we talk, I still want to be friends and business partners. It's just difficult for me to express my feelings.
When you here this news you might hit the ceelin but I'm willin to let you kno
You might be very upset when you hear what I have to say, but I feel it's better for me to be honest with you.
The truth and infact it's betta I tell you before you here this story backwords
It's better for me to tell you the truth before you hear this from someone else or find out on your own.
Its about this new gurl I'm creepin it's my little secret and I can hardley keep
I have a secret about a girl I've been seeing on the side, and it's been hard for me to keep it from you.
It yo boy it's ya sista
The girl I've been seeing is actually your sister.
Ya sista I've been wit her for a while now and theres u can do bout it 2x
I've been dating your sister for a while now, and there's nothing you can do to change it.
The first time I've ever seen her y'all moved around my way I was dyin to meet
The first time I saw your sister was when she moved into the area, and I was really interested in meeting her.
Her but I met you first and we became real cool started hangin out in now why
However, I met you first and we became friends, so we started hanging out together.
You reachin for your tool and no need for no beef so stop actin irrational im
I can see that you're getting upset, but there's no need to fight. Please calm down and stop being irrational.
Still that same brotha who had ya back for you you know I never hurt you or
I'm still the same friend who has always had your back. I would never hurt you or betray you.
Tried to be foul besides you don't want your niece to grow up with out a daddy
I've never tried to do anything wrong to you. Besides, your sister is pregnant with your niece, and you don't want her to grow up without a father.
Around thats right your baby sister is quite pregnant we allready checked and
Yes, your sister is pregnant, and we've already confirmed it.
Are meeting witha reveran
We are even meeting with a reverend about the upcoming birth.
Its ya sista I've been wit her(wit her) I've been wit her for a while now and
I just want to remind you that the girl I've been seeing is your sister, and we've been together for a while now.
Theres nothin you can do bout it it's ya sista I've been wit her for a while (cuz
There's really nothing you can do to change the situation. I've been with your sister for a while now, and that's just how it is.
I love her) ya sista I've been wit her for a while now (this is stresin me out)
I love your sister, but this whole situation is really stressing me out.
Ya sista ya still my best friend
Despite everything, you are still my best friend.
Ya sista you kno I love her I would never hurt her never leave her 6x
I want you to know that I love your sister and would never hurt her or leave her.
No no no no in back ground
This phrase is just part of the musical background and does not directly contribute to the lyrics' meaning.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN TOBY, ANDRE HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind