However, producers decided the album should feature a two-man group, and Pardlo's high school friend Ryan Toby soon joined.

In an effort to stand out from similar duo acts, like The Product G&B, producers decided to add a female member.

They chose Claudette Ortiz, a schoolmate from Pardlo and Toby's high school.

[7] The trio focused on lyrics that told a story, Toby noting inspiration from country music.

[10] To date, the song remains the group's most successful single and is the one that made the album popular.

[1] Jon Caramanica of Rolling Stone said that, although "today's bling-tastic R&B usually avoids social commentary", City High's debut "hinges on thick, stomp-worthy funk, luxurious soul grooves and plaintive harmonies about messy modern love".

[12] RTE Entertainment's John Raftery raved that "'City High' seem to be part of a movement, alongside Lucy Pearl and Spooks, which is letting the world know that black America is about more than just blunts and guns.

[11] In a mixed review, Maurice Bottomley of PopMatters felt that some songs have poor lyrical content, including "City High Anthem"'s "collection of clichés beyond any chance of redemption", and said that "15 Will Get You 20" is "catchy to the point of irritation".