Two diss tracks in one year? Zach Bryan is on quite the run.
Of course all the talk lately has been the “Smallest Man” diss track that was dropped by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, along with his BFFs podcast co-host Josh Richards.
The two teamed up to support their friend and fellow podcast host Brianna Chickenfry (whose real name is Brianna LaPaglia) after her messy breakup with Zach. And not gonna lie, the song went hard.
Unfortunately it’s since been taken down due to issues with Zach’s label, Warner Music Nashville, after it was discovered that Richards had also signed a deal with Warner years ago. But it looks like Portnoy is back in the studio recording a solo version that I’m sure we’ll get to hear soon:
#SmallestMan #DavesVersion pic.twitter.com/NfAn1LfKZE
— BFFs (@BFFsPod) November 8, 2024
But in the meantime, do you remember the first diss track that was dropped on Zach this year?
Probably not, because it didn’t get near as much attention. But Walker Hayes actually called out the country singer – kind of – after Zach took an indirect shot at Walker on social media.
It all started when we shared a post about Tyler Childers scoring his first ever charting song on mainstream country radio back in January with “In Your Love.” Zach responded to the post, correctly pointing out that it was “f*cking insane” that this was Tyler’s first ever charting song.
He then followed it up with another tweet about mainstream radio – and Walker Hayes somehow caught a stray for his song “Fancy Like.”
“Imagine being radio (whoever the hell that is), hearing ‘Shake the Frost’ and being like ‘no no let’s go with the Applebees song.”
I mean, he wasn’t wrong. But Zach clarified in another tweet that he wasn’t trying to take a personal shot at Walker:
“Not insulting anyone! Meant it with humor not malice, different strokes different folks was just bent about the first ever on mainstream radio thing my bad.”
All of Zach’s original tweets (and his Twitter account) have since been deleted, but Walker ended up offering a classy response to the dig:
Big shout to radio for playing dat Applebees song💪💪 Zach and Tyler praying y’alls continued success🙏
— Walker Hayes (@walkerhayes) January 9, 2024
But then he apparently had more to say about it – and decided to take it to the studio.
The result was a “diss track” of sorts…although it was a pretty classy diss track and nothing at all like the song Portnoy and Richards cooked up.
“Well I woke up this morning and read something mean
Something in the orange tells me you’re feelin’ green
Felt like throwin’ punches but I just held ’em back
Cause Jesus didn’t die for me so I could fight with Zach Bryan
No hard feelings, cause man I’d be lyin’
If I said I ain’t never talked sh*t about a radio record
Cause I thought mine was better
It’s kinda funny, oughta feel half hypocritical making money
Making songs, cause I know
Most of us die trying to be Zach Bryan”
The whole “beef” between the two was pretty classy, and didn’t last long. But I have a feeling his feud with Portnoy isn’t going to end any time soon.
Writings on the wall, it may not be today, tomorrow or next year. But it’s coming. Zach Bryan is ruined. @stoolpresidente doesn’t miss. The gold bottle will be popped. Not if. It’s when. pic.twitter.com/1ZqPYQd6ty
— Bobby Pilatti (@BobbyPilatti) November 8, 2024