He began to play the saxophone while attempting to create a band with his college friends in the coastal city of Sekondi.

He received a grant from the Ghanaian government to study at a private music and drama school for three years, before being forced to leave by a regime change in Ghana.

[2] His date of birth is unknown due to the absence of record keeping in Ghana at the time; his mother later estimated that he was born in December 1935.

[2] After completing pre-school, Osei was enrolled at a Catholic mission school, where he experienced harsh discipline.

[2] Following his graduation, Osei worked as an office boy for a year, before moving to Sekondi to study draftsmanship at a college.

Sekondi was an important commercial and cultural hub, and he encountered a number of modern musicians and genres there.

[2] After completing his degree, Osei returned to Kumasi and worked as a building inspector for a brief while, before choosing to become a professional musician.

The band was known as the "Comets," and became successful in Ghana, recording with Philips West Africa and playing for a radio show.

He then applied for and received a grant from the Ghanaian government, which allowed him to attend a private music and drama school for three years.

Osei teamed up with several other students who had also lost their positions and began to play soul music at various venues across Europe.