Kidd Silver’s journey begins in St. Louis, Missouri, but his vision was never meant to stay there. He quit his 9-5 and drove across the country to pursue life as a Hip-Hop artist and songwriter. That leap of faith is at the core of Seconds Before Sunset, an EP produced by San Diego’s own 94 West. Approaching production like scoring a film, 94 West creates moods that move the listener. Inspired by the West Coast experience, Kidd Silver and 94 West use Seconds Before Sunset to tell a story of evolution on the way to their next chapter.

In this interview, Kidd Silver and 94 West unpack the meaning behind Seconds Before Sunset, the layers of the lead single “Nimbus,” and how trust, vision, and creative alignment have positioned them for what’s coming next.

Seconds Before Sunset is a powerful, poetic title. How did the idea for this EP first come together?

KIDD SILVER: The idea came about after an early listening session, playing the songs to someone close. They said, “You make the perfect music to smoke and watch the sunset to.” Though ironic, given that’s such a common recreational activity on the West Coast, in which these songs were all inspired so it seemed fitting. After hearing that, the title came to mind immediately, almost on some divine timing type shii.

94 WEST: Kidd brought up an idea to me. As he’s talking, I’m envisioning it like a movie. So for me, it became how do I shoot the scene and score it. From there, it was about maintaining a vibe that the listener could feel.

Kidd Silver, how does this EP reflect where you are right now in your journey compared to your earlier music?

KIDD SILVER: This EP reflects where I am now compared to where I was in maturity and growth. When I started out on this journey with “Far From Home,” it was all about creating an experience, seeing as much while doing as much as possible. I was trying to find someone then; nowadays, those people flock to me. I’ve grown from acting on impulse and hoping for the best to moving with intention and working towards success.

94 West, what was your approach to shaping the overall sound for Seconds Before Sunset?

94 WEST: It was about capturing the sonics and the vibes of being at the beach on the West Coast. We wanted this to feel a certain way as a precursor to what’s to come in the future.

The lead single “Nimbus” sets the tone for the EP. What does that track represent?

KIDD SILVER: For me, “Nimbus” represents the practicals of both living as a creative and living as a man, navigating the reality of this world. On the surface, the song may sound like just smoking with females, but if you listen a bit closer, it’s so much more than that. It’s the acceptance of individualism and being able to open others up to the thought that nothing is impossible, despite the hardships you face, despite the demons you battle internally. We have the ability to choose whether or not we want to remain anchored to our issues or rise up and fly above it all. “Nimbus” is also a reference to my favorite anime, the Dragon Ball Z series being a sentient cloud that the characters use to fly. This cloud has only one prerequisite: that in order to board as its passenger, one has to be pure of heart, which in a way is also my only prerequisite to accept someone into my life.

94 WEST: First off, we’re letting the world know we do this rap shit. This ain’t a gimmick to us. From there, it’s about finding yourself and becoming the best version of you, hence the title. It’s a Dragon Ball Z reference.

After working together on “Could Be Higher,” how did your creative chemistry evolve on this project?

KIDD SILVER: I think we’ve always worked well together, but after “Could Be Higher,” there was a shift. We became more appreciative of each other’s artistry and more comfortable being open about what we were seeing and hearing creatively. “Nimbus” didn’t come together overnight. We made a handful of records after “Could Be Higher” before finally arriving at it. A lot of that process came from conversations about the pocket I was trying to move in, the feel I wanted to capture, and choices like incorporating guitar riffs or specific snare patterns. At the same time, I stayed open to his perspective on delivery and production. That mutual trust and willingness to listen is really what allowed “Nimbus” to become what it is.

94 WEST: I put it to you like this, me and gang are so locked in that it didn’t take long to make Seconds Before Sunset. Not saying we threw this together like a cheap ass burger from McDonalds, but that our line of communication is becoming so great, we can get great things done efficiently.

How does the Seconds Before Sunset EP set the tone for what’s next for both of you?

KIDD SILVER: It sets the tone by understanding the direction for what’s next. This EP tells not only a story but an ongoing story in which we both are clear on the next chapter through understanding on where it’s at currently with Seconds Before Sunset. I’m excited to continue this along. I think as people we go through phases in life and as men we can find certain phases more relatable given the similarities in experiences. So being able to illustrate that experience in music form here has given our dynamic the upper hand when going into the future.

94 WEST: Yo, you hear how wavy Seconds Before Sunset is? Kidd is spittin and the beats is banging. The next joint is tsunami level. Get ya life jackets ready.

Click here to listen to / download Seconds Before Sunset.