Country music sensation Zach Bryan was recently spotted in New York City keeping things low-key — except for one major thing: a noticeable black eye that immediately drew attention. The bruising comes on the heels of a whirlwind few weeks for the artist, who’s been navigating career highs and personal tensions at the same time.
Spotted in the Wild: Zach Bryan’s Black Eye Steals the Show
Photographers snapped images of the “Something in the Orange” hitmaker as he strolled around NYC over the weekend, dressed casually and seemingly trying to fly under the radar. But that gnarly black eye did all the talking.
While Bryan hasn’t made a formal statement on the injury, he later confirmed that it was the result of an incident at his home, though he did not elaborate on what exactly happened.
$350 Million Payday: Bryan’s Record-Breaking Deal
Amid the visible bruise and online drama, Bryan’s career has hit new heights. Earlier this month, Variety reported that the singer has inked a new deal with Warner Records, locking in at least two more albums under the label. The most headline-grabbing part? Zach Bryan has either sold or is in the process of selling his entire publishing catalog in a staggering $350 million deal.
This puts Bryan among the elite list of artists who’ve cashed in big on their music rights, joining names like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Justin Bieber, who have also struck multimillion-dollar catalog deals in recent years.
John Moreland Feud: “Off-Brand Version of Me”
Not everyone is celebrating Zach’s success — most notably, fellow country singer John Moreland, who took a sharp jab at Bryan following the publishing deal announcement.
In a pointed message on his Instagram Story, Moreland wrote:
“$350M is a lot to pay for the f*in off-brand version of me. Y’all have a great day.”**
The comment took fans and Bryan himself by surprise.
Zach Responds: Hurt and Disappointed
Bryan wasted no time reacting. He shared a screenshot of Moreland’s post to his own Instagram Story and wrote:
“Yooo just saw this from an artist I’ve always respected and supported.”
The sting was clearly personal. Bryan revealed that he had even written and recorded a duet with Moreland titled “Memphis; The Blues” for his 2024 album The Great American Bar Scene. In light of the insult, he said he’s scrapping the track entirely — a bold move that underscores just how deeply the diss cut.
The Duet That Won’t Be: “Memphis; The Blues” Pulled from Album
Fans who were anticipating the collaboration between Bryan and Moreland are understandably disappointed. “Memphis; The Blues” was slated to be a standout on Bryan’s upcoming album, which already has massive anticipation behind it.
But with tensions flaring and respect seemingly lost, Bryan has pulled the plug on the duet, stating that he no longer wants the track on the project.
Home Incident Behind Black Eye
As for the black eye, Bryan has kept details to a minimum, only stating that it stemmed from an incident at his home. Whether it was a freak accident, altercation, or something else remains unclear.
However, his appearance in NYC suggests that he’s pressing forward with promotional efforts and public outings despite the recent drama and visible injury.
Fan Reactions: Mixed But Loud
Fans have taken to social media with a variety of reactions. Some are siding with Bryan, calling Moreland’s comment “petty” and “unprovoked,” while others see it as an artist venting frustration in an industry where authenticity often clashes with commercial success.
“Zach Bryan has always worn his heart on his sleeve. You can tell that jab really hurt him,” one fan tweeted.
Another added: “I love both Zach and Moreland, but this drama is unnecessary. Just make great music!”
Bryan’s Career Momentum Continues
Despite the public feud and personal injury, Zach Bryan’s star continues to rise. His latest album, The Great American Bar Scene, is expected to drop later this year, and with Warner Records behind him and a massive catalog payday under his belt, Bryan is poised to cement his place as a leading voice in modern country music.
From his humble beginnings as a self-released artist in Oklahoma to headlining festivals, playing sold-out arenas, and racking up billions of streams, Bryan’s journey is both unlikely and inspiring.
Key Takeaways from Zach Bryan’s Wild Week:
- Zach Bryan was seen in NYC with a black eye, later revealed to be from an “incident at home.”
- He’s reportedly made $350 million from a publishing catalog deal.
- Signed a multi-album extension with Warner Records.
- John Moreland took a shot at Zach, calling him the “off-brand version” of himself.
- Bryan pulled their duet “Memphis; The Blues” from his upcoming album in response.
- Despite the drama, Bryan’s music career is red-hot, with his 2024 album highly anticipated.
