Josh Richards and Dave Portnoy’s Diss Track Against Zach Bryan Sparks Controversy

In a surprising turn of events, social media personalities Josh Richards and Dave Portnoy released a provocative diss track titled Smallest Man targeting country singer Zach Bryan. This five-minute song emerged in the aftermath of Bryan’s tumultuous breakup with Barstool podcast host Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia and has since been removed from YouTube due to copyright claims.

The Origins of the Diss Track

The title Smallest Man is a jab reflecting a nickname Portnoy assigned to Bryan after the singer’s split from LaPaglia. The lyrics boldly deride Bryan, with insults labeling him as “lyin,’” “ugly,” and “b***h.” Key excerpts include:

“I said trust me, caught your pants on fire/ Tinder, Bumble, Raya, knew you was a liar/ You’re a d**che bag/ You just made a new rival/ Pretty soon you’re going to need a revival”

Reportedly, LaPaglia felt blindsided by her breakup with Bryan, which lasted a year, lamenting the public nature of his announcement on Instagram despite their mutual agreement to keep the split private.

A Glimpse into the Music Video

The music video for Smallest Man features Richards and Portnoy in attire reminiscent of policemen, complete with fake mustaches. The narrative unfolds with a man resembling Bryan being pulled over in a pickup truck, adding a layer of humor and visual commentary to the track.

References to Taylor Swift and Public Backlash

In a striking reference, Portnoy mentions Taylor Swift in his rap, humorously critiquing Bryan’s earlier social media activity:

“Itty bitty Zach, sh*tty sh*tty tats/ Ugly in the face there’s no cure for that/ Country singing boss baby get that boy a snack/ Throw another temper tantrum, it’s time for a nap/ Think you’re on some sh*t tryna diss Taylor Swift, did a hundo ‘gram stories apologizing like a b***h.”

This alludes to Bryan’s controversial statement—later retracted—regarding Kanye West’s superiority over Taylor Swift, which he attributed to being under the influence at the time.

Mixed Reactions From Fans and Critics

The diss track has garnered a variety of reactions online. While many fans found it hilarious, some expressed disappointment. Comments from netizens reflect this divide:

Some users chimed in with remarks such as:

“Damn they cooked. Well done,” an X user stated.

“Dave walking up all tough with the mustache had me laughing out loud at 4AM. Well done, boys,” commented another user.

However, not all responses were positive. Critics highlighted the irony in Portnoy and Richards calling out Bryan for mistreating women:

“The irony of these two guys singing about someone mistreating women is rich,” one commenter observed.

Aftermath: YouTube Removal and Reactions

After its release, Smallest Man was swiftly taken down from YouTube due to copyright issues, specifically involving the track’s outro. Portnoy expressed his frustrations on social media, suggesting mishandling by Bryan’s management:

“Zach Bryan and @warnermusic must have the worst crisis management execs in the world. Running around like chickens with their heads cut off trying to erase #smallestman from the internet.”

He further elaborated on how the actions of Warner Music might inadvertently boost the track’s popularity:

“I will write 10,000 diss tracks. I will go die in the booth… the more Warner Music group act like little f**king pu*sies… the worse it’s going to get.”

The Final Notes

Interestingly, it was revealed that prior to the release, both Brianna LaPaglia and Richards were blocked by Bryan on Instagram, showcasing the strained relationships involved. It’s worth noting that Bryan was previously married to Rose Madden, with their relationship ending in 2021, just before becoming involved with LaPaglia.

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