Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards dragged Zach Bryan through the mud with their “Smallest Man” diss track — and used the country singer’s own songs to do it.
On Wednesday, November 6, the “BFFs” podcast hosts dropped a five-minute-long music video in defense of Bryan’s ex-girlfriend and their cohost, Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia. (The song has since been removed from Instagram and YouTube, citing copyright issues.)
“I said trust me, caught your pants on fire / Tinder, Bumble, Raya, knew you was a liar,” Richards sings in the song’s chorus. “You’re a douchebag, you just made a new rival / Pretty soon you going to need a revival.”
In the video, Richards and Portnoy are dressed up as policemen arresting Bryan. They also played the audio of the singer’s September 2023 arrest. (He was arrested on an obstruction of investigation charge and released on bail.)
The diss track was released just over two weeks after Bryan, 28, announced in an Instagram Story statement that he and LaPaglia, 25, had split after one year together. She claimed to be “blindsided” by the public statement after the former couple allegedly agreed to keep their breakup out of the public eye.
LaPaglia took a mental health break from both her podcasts — “BFFs” and “PlanBri Uncut” — but Portnoy has continued to speak on her behalf. In fact, his diss track title seems to be a reference to Taylor Swift’s “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” which Portnoy shared via X after LaPaglia and Bryan’s breakup went public.
Keep scrolling to see which of Bryan’s song Richards and Portnoy reference in their song:
‘Revival’
The song’s chorus features a reference to Bryan’s song “Revival,” which he closes out every concert with. On multiple occasions, LaPaglia, Richards and Portnoy have joined Bryan on stage to sing the tune.
‘I Remember Everything’
The first verse opens with Richards alluding to Bryan’s collaboration with Kacey Musgraves.
“Yeah you say you remember everything,” Richards sings.
‘Oklahoma Smokeshow’
Richards also references Bryan’s native Oklahoma — and the song that got him famous.
“But you’re from OK, well, OK, if you say so / Kinda ironic because soon you’re getting this KO,” he sings. “You’re shorter than me, so sorry if this a low blow / I’m boutta turn this place to an Oklahoma Smokeshow.”
‘Burn Burn Burn’
Bryan was accused of infidelity during his relationship with LaPaglia (he was allegedly seen on Raya just after they broke up) and Richards’ reference to the singer apparently sleeping around came complete with this song title. (Per a source, he denied cheating.)
“All they say is Zach gon’ make you burn burn burn / Gon’ need some antifreeze,” the lyrics read.
‘Pink Skies’
Richards also told Bryan “rest in peace” if he ever tries to retaliate, which is where this song title came in.
“I’m coming at you with more arms like a centipede,” he sings. “Looking for pink skies, but now you’re seeing stars.”
‘Something in the Orange’
This tune was referenced as Richards continued his verse.
“There’s something in the orange and it’s you behind these bars,” the TikTok star sings.
‘28’
As the song came to an end, the duo pulled a snippet from Bryan’s song “28,” which is about his relationship with LaPaglia. Richards and Zach changed the lyrics in defense of their friend.
“How lucky is Bri to be free of ZB,” the duo sings.
