Zach Bryan Diss Track: Did Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards Pull It?
Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards are fiercely defending their close friend, Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia, after a dramatic turn of events.
Following the unexpected breakup between country music sensation Zach Bryan and LaPaglia—who is one of the co-hosts of the popular BFFs podcast—in October, the other two podcast hosts took action. They created a provocative diss track titled “Smallest Man,” aimed squarely at Bryan over serious allegations of emotional abuse. This bold song not only captured widespread attention but also received acclaim from fans before mysteriously disappearing from online platforms—not once but twice.
Continue reading to discover the reasons behind the song’s removal and learn about Portnoy’s next steps in this ongoing saga.
Unraveling the Mystery: Why Was “Smallest Man” Removed from YouTube?
On Wednesday, November 6, Portnoy announced that the diss track had been taken down from YouTube due to a copyright claim, which he specifically attributed to the song’s outro. This situation highlights the complex nature of copyright laws and the potential pitfalls faced by creators in the music industry.
When the track was re-uploaded, it faced removal yet again. The reason this time was tied 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 young TikTok star signed with them back in 2020, thus granting the label the power to enforce removal of the track from streaming services.
Diving Deep: What References Does the Diss Track Make About Bryan and LaPaglia?
The lyrics of “Smallest Man” delve into various facets of LaPaglia and Bryan’s relationship, including the controversial circumstances surrounding their meeting on the elite dating app Raya. The track also addresses how Bryan reportedly returned to the app shortly after abruptly ending his relationship with LaPaglia, leaving her blindsided both on social media and in real life.
The song kicks off with the lines, “I said trust me, caught your pants on fire / Tinder, Bumble, Raya, knew you was a liar,” setting the tone for an energetic critique. It proceeds with, “You’re a douchebag, you just made a new rival / Pretty soon you going to need a revival,” showcasing the sharp wit and biting commentary that fans have come to expect from Portnoy and Richards.
In the accompanying video, Portnoy and Richards adopt the guise of law enforcement officers, pulling over a Bryan impersonator driving a pickup truck—a direct reference to Bryan’s 2023 arrest for allegedly obstructing a police stop. The duo cleverly reinforces their point with the lyrics: “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 serves to ridicule Bryan for his legal issues but also incorporates unflattering police-recorded audio from his arrest, intensifying the satirical element of the track.
They also take aim at Bryan’s complicated relationship history, with Richards adding, “You say you remember everything, I guess not because you forgot about your wedding ring.” This pointed jab references the Grammy winner’s brief marriage to Rose Madden in 2021, which was rumored to involve infidelity, further adding layers of complexity to the song’s narrative.
What Are Portnoy’s Future Plans Following the Controversy?
Despite the setbacks with the song’s removals, Portnoy remains undeterred and committed to his creative expression. “I will write 10,000 diss tracks. I’ll put the headsets on. I’ll come back spitting bars twice as hot,” he proclaimed with unyielding determination.
Portnoy continued, confidently asserting, “We’ll figure this s* out. It may take 24 hours,” while expressing his disdain for both Warner Music Group and Bryan, labeling them as “fking pes.” He teased followers, hinting, “Wait till you hear the podcast tomorrow,” indicating that more revelations and possibly more diss tracks are on the way.
He added a playful twist to his plans by suggesting, “Maybe we do ‘Dave’s version’ — I heard Bri may get in the booth and do her version,” implying that the dynamic duo might collaborate further to explore their creative responses to this ongoing drama.
