MC Spyda, also known as Black Tarantula, is the stage name of Colin Griffith, a Nottingham-based MC whose roots are in dancehall and UK sound-system culture. He made his first record at age 11 while on holiday in Antigua, working with Colin Ellis, known as Natty, of the Supatone Soundsystem. In the early 1980s, he began performing on UK sound systems. His reggae-influenced vocal style developed from his dancehall MCing, before he moved into drum and bass with his first release, Mo Fire, alongside Bad Company and the Rawhill Crew.
He later contributed vocals to Pendulum’s track Tarantula, which appeared on the album Hold Your Colour. His recorded collaborations have included DJ Fresh, Benny Page, Matrix & Futurebound and Aquasky, as well as producers Serum, Bou, AKAS, DJ Limited, Magenta and Furniss. With DJ Slipz and MC Blu Bomma, he is part of the BassLayerz collective, which began in 2018. The group decided to start a label after making All Ganja Man with Serum. MC Spyda has also been associated with BassLayerz Recordings, and has discussed the label and releases featuring his vocals in an interview.
His collaboration with AKAS, Rise Again, was released as a single by BassLayerz. The pair described the track as reflecting their frustration at being unable to perform during lockdown.
In 2012, MC Spyda released the single Da Vibe/Cobra Khan with Rina on Task Horizon. His 2024 singles included Wisdom with Defset on EMK, So Cold with BassLayerz and Serum on Souped Up Records, and No Sound Can Test with Selecta J-Man on Born On Road. In 2025, he released System Culture with Vital Elements on Warehouse Days. His 2026 single EVRY-TING featured Benny Page and Doktor and came out on Dub Shotta.