Zach Bryan Diss Track: Did Portnoy and Richards Get It Removed?

Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards are unwavering in their support for their close friend, Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia, during a tumultuous time.

The recent breakup of country music sensation Zach Bryan with LaPaglia, a prominent figure on the BFFs podcast, has sparked a flurry of reactions. Following their split in October, Portnoy and Richards channeled their frustration into creating a bold diss track titled “Smallest Man,” targeting Bryan over serious allegations of emotional abuse. This track quickly gained traction and received widespread acclaim, only to face removal not once, but twice, from various platforms.

Stay tuned to discover the reasons behind this controversial removal and what strategic plans the Barstool Sports founder has in store moving forward.

Unraveling the Mystery Behind the Removal of “Smallest Man”

On November 6, Portnoy revealed that the diss track was taken down from YouTube due to a copyright claim, specifically related to its outro section.

After the song was re-released, it faced another removal, this time due to the fact that Richards is under contract with the same label as Bryan—Warner Records. Portnoy later discovered that Warner Music Group holds the rights to Richards’ music, as the 22-year-old TikTok influencer signed a deal with them in 2020, granting the label the authority to pull the track from circulation.

Exploring the Provocative References in the Diss Track

The lyrics of “Smallest Man” delve into various facets of LaPaglia and Bryan’s relationship, including their initial meeting on the exclusive dating platform Raya. This connection is particularly significant considering Bryan reportedly returned to the app immediately after abruptly ending his relationship with LaPaglia, leaving her shocked and hurt both online and offline.

The track opens with sharp lines, “I said trust me, caught your pants on fire / Tinder, Bumble, Raya, knew you was a liar,” setting a confrontational tone. It continues with, “You’re a douchebag, you just made a new rival / Pretty soon you going to need a revival.” These lyrics not only highlight the betrayal but also establish a rivalry that has captivated listeners.

In the accompanying video, Portnoy and Richards adopt the personas of policemen as they pull over a lookalike of Bryan driving a pickup truck—an obvious reference to Bryan’s 2023 arrest for allegedly interfering with a police stop. The duo intensifies the satire with the verse: “Looking for pink skies, but now you’re seeing stars / There’s something in the orange and it’s you behind these bars, bch.” This not only mocks Bryan for his legal troubles but also incorporates actual audio recordings of the singer’s arrest, further amplifying the comedic effect.

They also take a jab at Bryan’s romantic history, with Richards claiming, “You say you remember everything, I guess not because you forgot about your wedding ring.” This lyric alludes to the Grammy winner’s short-lived marriage to Rose Madden in 2021, which was rumored to be marred by infidelity, thus adding another layer to the diss.

What Future Plans Does Portnoy Have Following the Controversy?

Despite the challenges of having the diss track removed, Portnoy remains undeterred. He boldly proclaimed, “I will write 10,000 diss tracks. I’ll put the headsets on. I’ll come back spitting bars twice as hot,” demonstrating his commitment to continuing this lyrical battle.

Portnoy expressed his determination, stating, “We’ll figure this s* out. It may take 24 hours,” while referring to both Warner Music Group and Bryan with disdain before teasing, “Wait till you hear the podcast tomorrow.” His confidence signals that he is far from finished in this feud.

He also hinted at a collaborative effort, suggesting, “Maybe we do ‘Dave’s version’ — I heard Bri may get in the booth and do her version.” This potential collaboration could lead to even more explosive content, keeping fans eagerly anticipating what comes next.