When Delta Bennett heard Colombian singer J Balvin sample her 1993 song In De Ghetto for his latest single In Da Getto, she had no idea who he was.

“I was elated to know that someone wanted to sample my song. When I told my kids, they were so excited that it was J Balvin. So, I started listening to his songs on YouTube and I liked his style and his flow,” Bennett shared in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

On April 3, during the live telecast of the 64th Grammy Awards, J Balvin performed In Da Getto with Bennett’s vocals searing throughout his set.

She is thrilled about the exposure her song received during music’s biggest night.

“I’m so proud of the new level and stage he [J Balvin] has brought In De Ghetto to a younger generation and to even those who loved the song from back in the 1990s. I wish I was there in person but I was overjoyed and I felt like I was on top of the world. I am so happy that the art that we created in 1993 is still being enjoyed today,” said Bennett.

In Da Getto has been certified platinum for sales of more than 600,000 units worldwide. It entered several Billboard and European charts last year.

In De Ghetto is credited to David Morales featuring the Bad Yard Club and Delta Bennett. Recorded at the Mixing Lab studio in Kingston, it was co-produced by keyboardist Handel Tucker and drummer Sly Dunbar, both of whom played on the track.

“I always believed in the song and myself as an artiste. The first time that I listened to the song, I thought it would become an anthem. It’s catchy and has a vibe that makes you want to dance. The song blew up on MTV’s The Grind and various radio stations in America, as well as the clubs. But now years later, thanks to the J Balvin sample, it has reached a new level,” she said.

Bennett, who resides in West Palm Beach, Florida, is originally from Sligoville in St Catherine. She attended Dunrobin High School in St Andrew.

After the success of In De Ghetto, Morales and Bennett teamed up for Whine Up Yuh Body, which was another club banger, reaching the top 20 on Billboard’s Dance chart in 1995. She also recorded with Freddie McGregor’s Big Ship label.

In De Ghetto was one of five songs recorded in Jamaica and co-produced by Tucker and Dunbar for Morales’s debut album The Program, distributed by Mercury Records.

The other tracks are The Program and Gimme Luv (Eenie Meeny Miny Mo), both featuring Papa San. They topped the Billboard Dance Music Club Play chart.

Singer Stanryck contributed the songs Beautiful Thing and Sunshine to The Program.