Formed in 1984 by French producer and songwriter, Jean-Louis Schultheis, Kaoma was designed to be a platform for Schultheis's musical experiments. With a focus on fusion, world music, and dancefloor-friendly beats, Kaoma quickly gained a following across Europe and beyond. Their early hits, such as "Joanna" and "Chariot," introduced the world to their unique blend of styles, which would later become a hallmark of the disco and world music genres.