1) Tokyo (Japan)/NY based electronic/experimental trio AOR, defines sound i… Read Full Bio ↴1) Tokyo (Japan)/NY based electronic/experimental trio AOR, defines sound itself as a 'neo-sensualism electro music'.

Erico Wakamatsu：voice, electronics

Yoshifumi Hamatsu (ハマツヨシフミ)：fretless bass, electronics

Yuki Aida (相田悠希)：electronics

On 'ONE', they'd conjure up the chaotic visual scape (whatever you've never seen) with noise/ improvising and audio-prossesing technic, will take us to exploration into neo-experimental sound trattorie.

2) Frédéric Slama was born in Paris, France but lived in L.A. for more than 10 years where he became friend with many famous artists & studio players. After releasing a couple of solo albums in the 80’s and producing some French and American artists, Frédéric decided to start a “one man band”. This marked the birth of his project AOR, always using the cream of U.S session players. In 2000, the first album « L.A Concession » was released and gave Frédéric a big respect in the Westcoast / AOR music scene. The second album « Next Stop L.A » was released one year later and again featured the help of several top session players such as Richard Page, Tony Franklin, Michael Thompson, Steve George & Carlos Vega.

It was in 2002 that Frédéric Slama took AOR to a new dimension with the critically acclaimed third album « L.A Reflection », which was considered to be the best Westcoast CD of the year by many journalists and fans alike. It featured all the big names in the music industry including Steve Lukather, Mike Porcaro, Jeff Porcaro, David Paich (all Toto members) and a line up of stars like Tommy Denander, Göran Edman, Michael Landau, Vinnie Colaiuta, Michael Ruff, Bruce Gaitsch, Rick Riso and lots of other top L.A. artists. The album became a huge success and was co-produced by AOR-legend Tommy Denander and world famous L.A. producer David Diggs.

In 2003, Frédéric Slama was back with an even greater CD, which again featured the best musicians any Westcoast and melodic rock fan could possibly imagine: Bill Champlin (Chicago), Steve Overland (FM), Steve Lukather (Toto), Michael Landau, Bruce Gaitch, Brandon Fields among many others and two Westcoast legends who hadn't recorded anything for over 20 years: David Roberts & Dane Donohue ! This album was called « Dreaming Of L.A » and again co-produced by Tommy Denander and David Diggs.

In 2004, Frédéric released « Nothing But The Best », an album featuring the best songs from his previous CDs, fully remastered by Tommy Denander plus 3 brand new unreleased tracks featuring Fergie Frederiksen (Toto) and Dane Donohue on lead vocals.

In 2006 AOR released a new CD called « L.A. Attraction » once again featuring the talents of many great AOR / Westcoast stars including Philip Bardowell (The Beach Boys, Places Of Power), Steve Lukather (Toto), Tommy Denander, Dane Donohue, Michael Landau, Peter Friedstedt or Rick Riso among others. This time, AOR developed a slightly different musical approach and moved into a more rock-oriented direction: « L.A. Attraction » sounded like a mix between Toto, Radioactive and Richard Marx and was a real feast for all AOR and melodic rock aficionados ! The same year Frédéric re-released officialy his 1st album « L.A Concession » (only available on Cdr at the time) fully remastered with 4 bonus tracks and a list of impressive guests again.

Now in 2009,the magic trio is back: Frédéric Slama,Tommy Denander & Philip Bardowell (The Beach Boys, Places Of Power) has teamed up again for a new album « Journey To L.A », taking Westcoast and AOR music to a new level of perfection. With the help of top session players such as Steve Overland (FM), Steve Lukather & Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), Dane Donohue, Bill Champlin (Chicago), Bruno Levesque (Silence), David Williams (Michael Jackson, George Benson) & many more, Frédéric delivers by far his most impressive and melodic work in the vein of Toto, Foreigner or Survivor, mixing elements of westcoast with more aor rock oriented songs. Classic westcoast lovers won’t be disappointed too with several songs taking you back to the L.A. music scene of the early 80’s. Tommy Denander’s production on « Journey To L.A » is one of his finest and the melodies and the solos will haunt you thru’ this incredible AOR journey.

Never Surrender
AOR Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Never Surrender

DJ Khaled

Khaled offers one of his best experiments,
Bringing in Akon, Anthony Hamilton and John Legend to... read more

Keep your circle tight

Trust no one, nobody (nobody, nobody, no no no)
DJ Khaled!

Gotta be careful who you trusting
Be aware of your surroundings when you hustling
Them niggas smiling at you ain′t your friends, dawg
All the real ones are dead or in the pen y'all
You fuck with dude, he your day one
Almost had it all then the day comes
When they walking through your house with the strap out
Pointing at your head, got the bread then you black out (yeah)
Bright lights down the hallways
Left his best friend for dead for the small wage (ay)
They say that every dog′s got a day coming
It's like he seen a ghost but he ain't say nothing
Eyes wide shut like you looking at me
Window pane to the soul say they niggas happy
But the pictures say them words we ain′t trying to stomach
The homie didn′t keep it one hundred
The cops doing roundups, say they got a suspect
Finally got a name now, I'm stunned thinkin fuck that (fuck, that)
For the money, niggas murder what they close to (get this nigga)
Entire families, these motherfuckers ghost you
Smoke you, was it worth what the life was?
Just prepare for the payback cause it strikes cuz
Was it worth what that life was?
Prepare for the payback when it strikes cuz

Cause when you need it the most
Ain′t no one ever around
Cold world, cold world

Yo, the pain's unbearable, remains unawareable
He fuck around, jump off a building if you dare him to
The greats they done already killed him, who you compare him to
To really figure out what he said will take a year or two
Family over everything, skills over politics
He don′t need the accolades as long as you acknowledge it
Just playing the hand you was dealt, no aces
Betrayal is worse than death in most cases
The world is filled with hypocrites, that's so racist
Multiple shots to the face, no chasers
Mad cause you blew up quick and you excited
Your man that you grew up with get you indicted
This was your nigga, yo, for him you let the trigger go
Found out at the trial they got audio and video
Shit don′t always happen how you plan it
Get jammed up and really find out who your fam is
You could feel the picture, you don't need to see the canvas
That nigga Jay'll Hawk you, he don′t even play for Kansas
You know when it′s someone you love the hurt's pure
You front tryna hold it in, it hurts more
He was right there back-to-back with me, my first war
Even had a crack spot together, the first floor
Used to buzz em in then meet him right by the first door
That was ′prolly a year before I went on my first tour
Friendship was worth more than a couple of ounces
You was 'sposed to be with me arguing with the bouncers
Instead you ended up somewhere far in the mountains
Talking ′about what we was doing, what we was counting
Nothing but old pictures of old sixes
Old BM's with the kits, old Schnitzer′s
Two sides, both wishes
Karma is the sister of life, they both bitches

See there's a story in my life
There's a story in my pain
There′s a story in my tears, oh-oh ohh
There′s a story in me

Yeah, for life
Lord forgive me for my sins, I was chasin' ends
And I′m into makin' money, I ain′t into making friends
Cause these niggas rattin', I ain′t finna take a chance
Homie said he 'bout that action, they grab him, he take the stand
Damn, say loyalty make a man
Got a homie and he told, I don't even shake his hand
I don′t even crack a smile, knew him since a child
Man this game so foul but niggas made vows
To a code I never break, ridin′ in the heavyweight
Thirty-six O's in a bird, call it featherweight
Never on time, when I show up I be ready late
Niggas got fat while we starved, they already ate
And I′m trying to get full, masks on, clip full
If he got the money, we attack him like a pit bull
We sellin' soft, we sellin′ hard like it's a brick store
On my dick, nigga, thought that′s what your bitch for
Hah!

My pain ain't never been told (ain't never been told)
All the success that I′m suffering from
Came from this knowledge I sold (this knowledge I know)
My family fucks with me
And fought the enemy that stood in my way (my way)
That′s why I don't trust nobody
And I doubt you′ll ever see that day

'Fore I surrender to you (surrender)
Surrender to you (surrender)
Surrender to you (surrender to you, which I will never do)

Cause when you need it the most
Ain′t no one ever around (nobody's around)
Cold world (cold world) cold world (mmm, yes it is, yeah)
And the ones that you keep close
Are the ones that′ll take you down (always take you down)
Cold world (cooooold) a cold cold world

'Fore I surrender to you (surrender)
Surrender to you (surrender)
Surrender to you (surrender to you)
Fore I surrender to you (surrender)
Surrender to you (surrender)
Surrender to you (surrender to you, which I will never do)

Ohh-ohhh ohhh-whooooa
Ohh-ohhhh (ohh-ohhhh) ohh-ohhhhh

See there's a story in my life (hey) (surrender)
There′s a story in my pain (hey) (surrender)
There′s a story in my tears, oh-oh ohh (surrender)

There's a story in me
I won′t surrender, I won't surrender, ohh no no no

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Never Surrender" by DJ Khaled speak of the importance of being careful about who to trust and keeping one's circle tight. The song provides a description of how the streets work and how being loyal to someone can become life-threatening. The song suggests that betrayal is more painful than death, and one needs to prepare for payback when it strikes. The song also serves to show the wickedness of the world and the importance of being true to oneself.

The lyrics also capture what it means to have a real friend. The pain of a lost friend, even if they are not lost physically, is a real pain. The song highlights how the pursuit of money can lead one to lose their relationships and, in turn, themselves. The song sends an encouraging message to listeners, to hold on, not to surrender, and to keep pushing regardless of the obstacles.

Line by Line Meaning

Keep your circle tight
Be cautious of the people you surround yourself with, keeping only trustworthy individuals close to you.

Trust no one, nobody (nobody, nobody, no no no)
Be careful not to trust anyone blindly as some individuals are not genuine and have ulterior motives.

Gotta be careful who you trusting
It is important to be aware of the individuals you trust in order to avoid betrayal and deception.

Be aware of your surroundings when you hustling
Always pay attention to your environment when engaging in risky behavior such as illegal businesses.

All the real ones are dead or in the pen y'all
Many true and loyal individuals are either dead or serving time in prison due to the harsh realities of the streets.

Them niggas smiling at you ain′t your friends, dawg
It is common for certain individuals to pretend to be friendly while secretly being disloyal.

Almost had it all then the day comes
Many individuals gain success only to have everything fall apart in one day of betrayal or misfortune.

When they walking through your house with the strap out
Betrayal can result in dangerous situations where individuals invade your personal space while armed.

Pointing at your head, got the bread then you black out (yeah)
During betrayal, individuals often use violence to take what they want, leaving the victim unconscious.

Left his best friend for dead for the small wage (ay)
Many individuals betray their close companion's trust for a minimal amount of money.

Karma is the sister of life, they both bitches
Both life and karma can be difficult to deal with, often resulting in negative outcomes that cannot be controlled.

For the money, niggas murder what they close to
Individuals are often willing to commit murder for financial gain, even if it means betraying loved ones.

Betrayal is worse than death in most cases
Betrayal can be more devastating than death as it often results in emotional turmoil and a loss of trust.

He was right there back-to-back with me, my first war
A true friend will always have your back, especially during difficult times or situations of conflict.

That was 'prolly a year before I went on my first tour
The memories of shared experiences with close friends can be bittersweet when looking back on them after a long period of time.

That nigga Jay'll Hawk you, he don′t even play for Kansas
Even those who appear to be harmless can be dangerous and should not be underestimated.

My family fucks with me
My family supports me and stands with me during difficult times.

And I doubt you′ll ever see that day
I am doubtful that you will ever truly understand my experiences and the reasons for my actions.

And the ones that you keep close
Close companions are often the ones who can cause the most harm when they betray your trust.

Are the ones that′ll take you down (always take you down)
Betrayal by a close friend can lead to a significant downfall or negative outcome.

I won′t surrender, I won't surrender, ohh no no no
I will never give up or surrender, even in the face of adversity and betrayal.

Writer(s): Hart Corey

Contributed by Elizabeth N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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