Dancer Nah Bade ties the knot

Montego Bay-based dancer Nah Bade, of Chef Squad, married his long-time girlfriend, Anishka Grizzle, in an intimate ceremony on October 18. The event was officiated by Pastor Lashenry Palmer at the Calvary United Worship Centre in St James.

Nah Bade said the wedding was overdue, having made a grand gesture when he proposed to Grizzle in Sam Sharpe Square four years ago.

"I got a decent bottle of wine, a single rose and placed it into a gift bag, knowing that I was going to ask her to marry me in front of the whole downtown," Nah Bade shared in his interview with THE WEEKEND STAR.

"When Anishka met me, coming from work, I gave her the bag. Then I walked behind her, tapped her on her back, got down on one knee and asked if she would make me the happiest man alive. I felt relieved to hear her scream and eventually say 'yes'."

Nah Bade, whose given name is Davion Hodges, said he met his wife during a chance meeting at a bar in Middle Quarters, St Elizabeth, seven years ago.

"She amazes me with her intelligence and drive. Having grown up without her parents, she is an inspiration. We never have no serious arguments, (we have) disagreements, naturally -- but we know how to deal with them, and we have stuck with each other through thick and thin. She has been my wife before the ring," he shared.

The dancing career of Nah Bade, who has been portraying himself as an ambassador for dancehall culture since his mentor Gerald Bogle Levy's heyday, was on a hiatus for several years.

He, however, returned in 2017 with a plan to take over the space. He says that 2020 would have been a year of heavy street promotion, but his plans were affected as a result of the pandemic.

In fact, one week before Jamaica confirmed its first COVID-19 case, an independent documentary, titled Beautiful Jamaica, was released featuring Nah Bade and other media personalities highlighting dancehall and dance talent. It has since garnered more than 30,000 views on YouTube.

The couple shared that they had many setbacks as it relates to their career goals, but would not allow their relationship to suffer or let this year pass without making it official.

Grizzle, a customer service representative, recalls her wedding day being affected by unfavourable weather; but for her, it remains one of the brightest.

Great day for Mrs Hodges

"The rain poured and we could not move from the church to have a reception. I couldn't do the images outdoors as we had hoped for, but despite all the hiccups leading up to the wedding, at the end of the actual day I still got to say 'Yes, I do', and I am now Mrs Hodges. We even had plans to get baptised, too," she said.

The dancer's wife heads the Anishka Grizzle Foundation, which Nah Bade helps her to manage. Together they are assisting persons, specifically the elderly within the Green Pond, Anchovy and Salt Spring communities, who are unable to carry out simple tasks "like washing their clothes, cooking and cleaning".

"I am happy to be of help to the elderly by getting them food, while hubby helps with the chores," she said.

Nah Bade added, "It is a new beginning for us and gives us a purpose, because so many people are without care, can't move off dem own, and need help more now in these trying times. I feel good being part of this with my wife."