What So Not started as a project between record producer Emoh Instead and Flume. On 13 November 2011, What So Not released their debut EP, 7 Dollar Bill. During this time, they had released several remixes of artists such as Peking Duk, Tom Piper, and Major Lazer,. In early 2013, they embarked on the Massive Universe Tour, in several venues across Australia. In 28 May 2013, they released their second EP, The Quack, featuring a collaboration with Action Bronson on label OWSLA.
The duo released the song, "Jaguar" on 6 December 2013.
On 24 June 2014, What So Not and RL Grime released their single, "Tell Me", with Chris Martins from Spin describing the track as "of both melodic might and percussive ferocity".
On 20 February 2015, Flume announced that he has departed from the What So Not project, citing creative differences. In a post written on Facebook, What So Not stated that "over the last while, Emoh and I have been moving in different directions creatively, we haven't made any music together in quite a while", and thanked Flume for his time and effort put into the project.
"Gemini" which features George Maple, the first track from the Gemini EP, debuted on 9 May 2015. The track was named on Triple J Hottest 100 later that year and peaked at number 52 on the Australian Singles Chart. The lead and title track features Sydney-based singer George Maple.
Gemini was released as a free download on 18 December 2015, which featured collaborations with artists Dillon Francis, Tunji Ige and KLP (musician). The EP was downloaded over 800,000 times, charted globally on iTunes Electronic EP chart and was named to various year-end "best of" lists.
In November 2015, What So Not, Baauer and George Maple co-produced a track for Australian rapper Tkay Maidza, titled "Ghost". The song was premiered on Triple J.
On 9 September 2016, What So Not released the 6-track Divide & Conquer EP, which includes previously released track "Lone".
In October 2016, What So Not, George Maple and Djemba Djemba co-produced a track on Australian rapper Tkay Maidza's debut album, titled "Afterglow".
On 3 November 2016, RL Grime released the single "Waiting" in collaboration with What So Not and Skrillex which was in production since 2013. The track's release was teased through a promotional video which parodied chat-line advertisements and featured footage of 1980-era-influenced vixens with a phone number flashing across the screen, where by calling the number listeners can hear the song in full.
A collaboration between What So Not and New York artist LPX, "Better", was released on 8 September 2017; and was debuted on Australian Radio Station Triple J 7 September 2017. "I had a few productions I’d been working on in this sonic field but struggled to find a vocalist with the right attitude and tone to fit. Lizzy and I clicked instantly on this trajectory & began jamming on the tune," stated What So Not about the track's production. He released "Be Ok Again" which featured Australian musician Daniel Johns on 28 November 2017. The track was produced after Johns noticed What So Not working with Slumberjack as he walked by the studio, which prompted him to invite What So Not to work together at his Newscastle studio.
On 31 January 2018, What So Not announced the arrival of his debut album titled Not All the Beautiful Things which was released on 9 March 2018. The album featured collaborations with artists Skrillex, Slumberjack, San Holo, and American rock band Toto. Together with the announcement, he released lead album single "Stuck In Orbit" which was co-produced with Jono Ma from Australian psychedelic dance band Jagwar Ma. What So Not released third album single titled "Beautiful" on 27 February 2018 and announced a national Australia tour for his "Beautiful Things' World Tour" where he visited cities Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in June 2018.
What So Not's first single of 2019, "We Can Be Friends" featuring American singer Herizen, was released on 22 January 2019. He previously met the singer at a songwriting workshop in Nicaragua, while citing American record producer and rapper J Dilla as the track's main inspiration.
We Can Be Friends
What So Not Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can be
We can be friends
We can be
We can be
I don't wanna be with you anymore, anymore
But we can be friends, we can be friends
But we can be friends, we can be friends
We can be
Water's deep, should I wade in?
What's the price if I cave in? (We can be, we can be friends)
Take it all with no measure
I'm a fool for the pleasure (We can be)
And you say what you say
But you see, I don't wanna play (We can be, we can be friends)
But it's all just a game
When we, it don't feel the same
I just want you to see the truth
I don't wanna be with you anymore, anymore
But we can be friends, we can be friends, we can be friends
I don't wanna hold your hand anymore, anymore
But we can be friends, we can be friends, we can be friends
Say it till the end, we can be friends
But we can be friends, say it till the end, we can be friends
Make me crazy
Make me crazy
We can be friends
Make me crazy
Make me crazy
I don't want a friend now
Fuck your friends now
I just wanna break down
Yeah, I break down, it's fine, fine
I'm not having fun now
Fuck this whole crowd
Rather be alone now
Till I break down, it's fine, fine (It's fine)
We can be friends
We can be, we can be, we can be
We can be, we can be, we can be
We can be, we can be, we can be
We can be, we can be, we can be
The lyrics of What So Not's song We Can Be Friends deal with the complexity of a relationship that has ended but the desire to still maintain a connection with that person. The repetition of the phrase "we can be friends" throughout the verses and chorus shows the singer's reluctance to completely let go of the person they once had feelings for. The opening lines of the song, "I don't wanna be with you anymore, anymore, but we can be friends" set the tone for the rest of the song.
The confusion and mixed emotions the singer is feeling are highlighted in the lines, "Water's deep, should I wade in? What's the price if I cave in?". Here, the singer is unsure whether to take the plunge and fully commit to the person or to protect themselves and keep a safe distance. In the following line, "I'm a fool for the pleasure", it becomes apparent that the singer is struggling to resist the attraction that they have towards the other person.
Towards the end of the song, the singer becomes more resolute and declares, "I don't want a friend now, fuck your friends now, I just wanna break down". This shows their frustration at being in a position where they are unable to fully move on and highlights the pain associated with trying to maintain a relationship with someone who is no longer a romantic interest.
Overall, the lyrics of We Can Be Friends explore the bittersweet nature of a relationship that has run its course but the desire to still have that person in one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
We can be
The singer acknowledges that a friendship is possible between them and the other person
We can be friends
While the singer does not want a romantic relationship with the other person, they propose to remain friends
I don't wanna be with you anymore, anymore
The singer seeks to end a romantic relationship because they no longer have feelings for the other person
I don't wanna hold your hand anymore, anymore
The singer no longer desires to hold hands with the other person, a romantic gesture
Water's deep, should I wade in?
The singer questions whether it is safe to take a risk and pursue a relationship with the other person
What's the price if I cave in? (We can be, we can be friends)
The singer considers the potential consequences of giving in to their desire to start a romantic relationship with the other person and opts instead for friendship
Take it all with no measure
The singer is willing to accept risk and consequences without restraint when pursuing a romantic relationship
I'm a fool for the pleasure (We can be)
The singer acknowledges that they are willing to endure potentially unwise or unhealthy behavior for the sake of romantic pleasure, but reiterates their willingness for mere friendship
And you say what you say
The singer acknowledges that the other person has expressed their feelings or opinion of the situation
But you see, I don't wanna play (We can be, we can be friends)
The singer acknowledges that the other person may have expectations for a romantic relationship, but insists on only remaining friends
But it's all just a game
The singer recognizes the a potential romantic relationship is just a game to the other person
When we, it don't feel the same
The singer recognizes that the feeling is not mutual for a romantic relationship, hence their desire to be just friends
I just want you to see the truth
The singer seeks to communicate plainly the nature of their feelings and the situation, which is that they only want to be friends
Say it till the end, we can be friends
The singer encourages the other person to keep in mind that a friendship is possible between them, even if it is not a romantic relationship
Make me crazy
The singer acknowledges that continuing to pursue a romantic relationship with the other person may lead to irrational behavior
I don't want a friend now
The singer expresses a preference for not having a relationship with the other person as mere friends
Fuck your friends now
The singer disapproves of the other person's friends and may see them as an obstacle to a healthy relationship
I just wanna break down
The singer wishes to cry and express their emotions when alone, without other people around
Yeah, I break down, it's fine, fine
The singer regards feeling emotional and breaking down as something that is normal and okay
I'm not having fun now
The singer acknowledges that they are no longer enjoying their time with the other person
Fuck this whole crowd
The singer disapproves of the people around them, which may include the other person's friends or social circle
Rather be alone now
The singer now prefers to spend time alone than with the other person, despite previously considering a romantic relationship
Till I break down, it's fine, fine (It's fine)
The singer regards breaking down emotionally as a natural and okay response to their feelings
We can be friends
The singer reiterates the possibility of a friendship between them and the other person
We can be, we can be, we can be
The singer repeats the line to emphasize the possibility of a platonic relationship
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Chris Emerson, Herizen Guardiola
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
What So Not
we can be friends’ w/ herizen OUT NOW EVERYWHERE 🔥👌🏽🥳
watch the music video out now: https://youtu.be/X5Z1FzfNQdI
VORTEX
What So Not can I use this song in my video if I shout you out
Oracle VII
amazing
DJ BiSs
Amazing!
Stoned Skippy
Thank you for always making such beautiful music♥️
Im kysa
I love this song 😍😭 is really beautiful
Shikago F.C.
Flume and What So Not's friendship is like a game of Jenga. Except everything they drop is a bangaaaaa. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Jess Dev
Bless this man
Franco Villarreal
Life is so fucking great with this kind of music,thanks dude.
Goutaman Ram
Anyone else can't stop playing this on repeat?