Oliver Mwangovya, A gospel rapper commonly known by his stage name as ‘Tha Remnant’ has just dropped his much anticipated 15-track album dubbed ‘Spiritual Combustion’. He linked up with Musiq Jared and took us through the whole process of coming up with this project.
First things first, to those who don’t know you, who is Tha Remnant?
Oliver is a believer of Jesus Christ and is my Lord and Savior I love God, and my background is ICT but I hustle hard in other areas so long as it is legit and brings in money and I must say I love music and I love making it.
You have dropped your much-anticipated album dubbed ‘Spiritual Combustion’, what’s the inspiration behind the name?
It is from the content itself whereby spiritually it combusts and wreaks havoc in the spiritual realm shaking, pulling down strongholds, teaching, correcting, and encouraging mainly because 90-100% is the word of God or from God and I speak it out in Rhythm And Poetry
Coming up with this body of work, what did you aim your fans to take or capture from it?
My main aim is Romans 10:9-12, that if they believe with their hearts and confess with their lips that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He rose again they shall be saved and have eternal life and God watches over them presently and eternally. The Great Commission that Christ Jesus left to us when He rose again i.e. Go yee to the world and make disciples of me baptizing them in the name of that Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Gospel to the world.
What’s that one unique thing that differentiates this Album from your past projects?
The hard work and dedication that I have put in every 16 bars, perfecting them, and making sure that I murdered the beat with the content and flow. Also, being able to officially release it is amazing as previously I had a mixtape that I didn’t release because of many challenges here and there such as finances, and quality, and knowing this is it this is what I want to do and love doing.
Coming up with the ‘Spiritual Combustion’ Album, what are some of the challenges you underwent that you would like to highlight?
The first would be in a Collabo, sometimes working with other artists isn’t easy waiting for them to deliver but I learned over time with experience sometimes you don’t have to wait for someone to do something it’s what you make, and if they can keep their end of the bargain drop them carry over work with they who are willing or else you won’t be able to achieve anything. Believe and trust God let it be you and God and not man because we’re all driven to error and are not perfect so work with the willing
The second would be making sure that the work is of high quality and professionally done; mixing and mastering this wasn’t easy but never took shortcuts because this is the PRIME and CORE of the album thus I always sought second opinions from professional producers as I’m an upcoming one still perfecting my skills on that and Make Shift Media & N.Y.N.P hand in hand with Remnants Kamp Records assisted to make this dream come true number is God He did it all.
Are there any stand-out tracks for you and the reason why?
There is quite a number as it is a 15-track album with an INTRO and OUTRO. It’s difficult to say this is my favorite track here because, with all of them, I gave my best and made sure that I couldn’t have done them differently because I didn’t put in my best no I put in my best in every track; content, skill-wise, flow and on the production aspect. They all come with their flavor, content, and where I was in each aspect of the recording. But you may look out for Sound the SIREN, Jesus LAMB of God, In Spirit & Truth Salvation Cypher amongst other DOPE tracks.
On the featured artists what was the experience like, working with them?
It was great and exciting especially in In Spirit & In Truth & Damu Machozi with Christine Muna highly
skilled vocals very talented lady. There’s also Haki Na Ukweli where I had the largest Krew of 8 emcees
I’ve worked with and very cooperative making the project very successful and earning airplay in various
media houses and lastly I worked with the ChilleBaby of the legendary Gospel Gangstaz Krew from LA
Compton and I must say it was a great blessing and God came through for us in the project despite the
many miles far apart Nairobi interconnecting with LA.
Kenyan gospel rap scene has been dormant lately’ and you as a stakeholder what are you planning to do to make it vibrant?
It hasn’t been dormant as Par says only that in most cases a lot of upcoming artists do not get a chance to have their music played by big media houses due to gatekeepers or reasons unknown to the artists and rarely is Christian RAP music appreciated and played. Other than the already-known top cream of Christian rappers that have been there for decades these artists haven’t been recognized. There are over 200 rappers or artists who do music who have not gotten their music played and are unknown to the public but their music is online, some may have pulled back and kept aside their craft but others are still wedging on. (We should support local artists; that’s how they grow and the industry.
Working on this project, who are some of the individuals who played a role in making it a success?
I must say Austin Ochieng a.k.a. Austeazy of Make Shift Media and Othole Mukama of N.Y.N.P (Ndani YaNyumba Productions) & Dave PRO Productions from Mombasa, RayP of Master Touch, Dismass of Limelight Beat productions, & Trebz Mziki Producers, Kade Man Wilson & Spikeapella Artists who have supported me in quite some projects and not to forget artists of Salvation Cypher, LAMB Cypher& Haki Na Ukweli Cypher. I must add all the collaborators.
What are some of the themes that you have highlighted in the ‘Spiritual Combustion‘ album?
Sound the SIREN This is a track about the Rapture; Christ Jesus’s second coming that we have taken for granted in various ways. Damu Machozi Christ’s crucifixion this walk of Christ was not easy it was crazy and difficult but He went through it because He loved us, Are you ready for the dance tonight is about the Parable of the Wedding Banquet Luke 14:15-24, Na Choose Life, Sunday Hadi Sunday Praising God in all times, In Spirit & Truth a track that through it all seeking to walk in Spirit and truth, Kwa NOMA through difficult times let God have His way for He is in control.
Mention this Album in 3 words.
Word of God (It’s almost 100% of the word; Worship In Spirit & Truth)
What are some of the lessons that you have learned throughout the process?
Learning to work and manage people in projects; knowing that it is a process and stage by stage we get there and God has to be the center of it and without Him, it’s all vain.
For those checking out this interview and are getting to know you for the first time, where can they access this album?
They can purchase the album on Gospo Central at this link: https://gospocentral.com/product/spiritual- combustion-album-2/ as well as on all streaming platforms just search Remnant254 or spiritual combustion.
After Spiritual Combustion, what’s next for Tha Remnant?
After pushing it to the brim in media houses and its distribution, I hope to work on my second album, it is already in the process. I have several tracks in place that are going to be something else NOMA SANA!!. Bless up.
Any Shout-outs?
Shout out to my family thank you for your support in various ways, to all artists, and krews I’ve worked with and fellow artists under the Kenya Hip Hop Hub a.k.a. KHHH a.k.a. Kenya Holy Hip Hop thank you for the support and encouragement. Shout out to Madluv Lounge & Verse Five thanks and cheers for keeping it on and on. Cheers and God bless you abundantly.
Parting Short?
Romans 10:9-12 Have Jesus Have Life, No Jesus No Life Cheers, and God bless you abundantly.
