Osibisa were true pioneers. They were the first band to successfully promote West African styles, not just in Britain but right across the world, and the first African fusion band to notch up a whole series of best-selling singles and albums in the pop charts – with more international hits than any other African band has enjoyed since. They were formed nearly two decades before the term 'world music' was invented, but their leader Teddy Osei can rightly claim that they opened the way for the global fusion scene, and for the success of later African stars, from Youssou N'Dour to Salif Keita.
