Key Takeaways:
– Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards’ diss track about Zach Bryan was removed from YouTube due to copyright claims.
– The song, titled “Smallest Man,” was referencing the alleged emotional abuse Bryan perpetrated on his ex-partner, Brianna LaPaglia.
– Lyrics to the mock song highlight aspects of LaPaglia and Bryan’s tumultuous relationship.
– Despite the removal, Portnoy has vowed to continue fighting and considers to release alternative versions of the diss track.
Hosts of the BFFs podcast, Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards, recently had a rough run-in with the world of music rights after a diss track they made about country musician Zach Bryan was removed from YouTube. The contentious song, titled “Smallest Man,” was aimed at Bryan following his break-up with the third host of their podcast, Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia in October.
Why was “Smallest Man” Removed?
Portnoy revealed on November 6 that the song was removed due to a copyright claim. He said the outro specifically was responsible for the strike. However, the controversy didn’t end there. Upon a second release, the song was once again taken out of circulation. This time, the reason being Richards’s existing contract with Warner Records, the same label to which Bryan is signed. The removal of the re-released track came as a result of the influence Warner Music Group holds over Richards’ music, having signed a contract with the popular TikToker in 2020.
Understanding the Diss Track
“Smallest Man” targeted Zach’s behavior during his relationship with LaPaglia. The lyrics alluded to Bryan returning to the Raya dating app immediately after calling it quits with LaPaglia. This breakup, which played out both personally and publicly, left LaPaglia caught off guard.
The track opens with the lines, “I said trust me, caught your pants on fire / Tinder, Bumble, Raya, knew you was a liar,” and continues, “You’re a douchebag, you just made a new rival / Pretty soon you going to need a revival.” Clearly, the directness of lyrics underscores the severity of Bryan’s alleged acts.
Moreover, the music video for the track plays out as a satire. Portnoy and Richards, in police officer costumes, pull over a Bryan lookalike in a noticeable nod to Bryan’s 2023 arrest for alleged interference with a traffic stop.
Next Moves for Portnoy
Despite the takedowns, Portnoy is far from giving up. His fiery determination and loyalty toward his co-host reflect in his resolute statement: “I will write 10,000 diss tracks. I’ll put the headsets on. I’ll come back spitting bars twice as hot.”
Addressing the matter firmly, Portnoy assured fans that they are at work resolving it. He remained defiant, favoring spirited defiance over retreat: “We’ll figure this s*** out. It may take 24 hours.”
Bringing a touch of intrigue to his plan of resistance, Portnoy also hinted at a collaboration with LaPaglia herself: “Maybe we do ‘Dave’s version’ — I heard Bri may get in the booth and do her version.” Only time will tell how this sturdy resilience and the collaborative plans will unfold, and if they will manage to bypass the barriers of copyright infringement.