Shaboozey Puts Country Spin on Louis Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World' in Nerds' 2025 Super Bowl Commercial (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Shaboozeyis taking on New Orleans jazz legend Louis Armstrong.The five-time Grammy nominee is the star of this year’sNerds' Super Bowl commercial— and he took his singular sound and affinity for sartorial style to New Orleans.In the 30-second teaser, Shaboozey, 29, can be seen enjoying a bag of Nerds Gummy Clusters candy while strumming his guitar. As he takes a bite into the candy, the world around him begins to swirl with an array of colors and sounds.Soon, the “Anabelle” musician is leading a second-line band down the street and the city becomes a vibrant, Willy Wonka-inspired wonderland.Shaboozey.Digitas Chicago/NERDSIn the commercial, Shaboozey also adds some twang to a cover of Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”“I have this deep resonating tone, and Louis' voice is so distinct,” he tells PEOPLE. “And I think people also say that about me. It just made so much sense [to cover this song].”Truthfully, Shaboozey “can’t even believe” it’s him singing the track, since he heard the song in a gamut of ad spots growing up.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Shaboozey for the NERDS Super Bowl commercial.Digitas Chicago/NERDS“That’s why I think it’s so cool to do a different rendition instead of taking a song that’s been used so many times,” he explains. “To get an artist to do their own interpretation of it was such a smart move.”Shaboozey believes “What a Wonderful World” has parallels to his hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)."“‘A Bar Song’ has the same uplifting feel [as ‘What a Wonderful World’] — just wanting to include everybody and make something positive,” he explains. “The Louis record, as well, does that just as far as [it] brings everyone in and just brings up the spirits and brings up the vibes of everybody.”Shaboozey in the NERDS Super Bowl commercial.Digitas Chicago/NERDSShaboozey also thinks paying tribute to Armstrong during a year when the Super Bowl is taking place in New Orleans is a “cool little music history lesson for the kids watching.“The full Nerds ad is set to air during the third quarter of the2025 Super Bowlon Sunday, Feb. 9.

Shaboozeyis taking on New Orleans jazz legend Louis Armstrong.

The five-time Grammy nominee is the star of this year’sNerds' Super Bowl commercial— and he took his singular sound and affinity for sartorial style to New Orleans.

In the 30-second teaser, Shaboozey, 29, can be seen enjoying a bag of Nerds Gummy Clusters candy while strumming his guitar. As he takes a bite into the candy, the world around him begins to swirl with an array of colors and sounds.

Soon, the “Anabelle” musician is leading a second-line band down the street and the city becomes a vibrant, Willy Wonka-inspired wonderland.

Shaboozey.Digitas Chicago/NERDS

NERDS Returns to the Big Game with an Exciting New Ad to Unleash the Senses Featuring Singer-Songwriter Shaboozey

Digitas Chicago/NERDS

In the commercial, Shaboozey also adds some twang to a cover of Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”

“I have this deep resonating tone, and Louis' voice is so distinct,” he tells PEOPLE. “And I think people also say that about me. It just made so much sense [to cover this song].”

Truthfully, Shaboozey “can’t even believe” it’s him singing the track, since he heard the song in a gamut of ad spots growing up.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Shaboozey for the NERDS Super Bowl commercial.Digitas Chicago/NERDS

NERDS Returns to the Big Game with an Exciting New Ad to Unleash the Senses Featuring Singer-Songwriter Shaboozey

“That’s why I think it’s so cool to do a different rendition instead of taking a song that’s been used so many times,” he explains. “To get an artist to do their own interpretation of it was such a smart move.”

Shaboozey believes “What a Wonderful World” has parallels to his hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”

“‘A Bar Song’ has the same uplifting feel [as ‘What a Wonderful World’] — just wanting to include everybody and make something positive,” he explains. “The Louis record, as well, does that just as far as [it] brings everyone in and just brings up the spirits and brings up the vibes of everybody.”

Shaboozey in the NERDS Super Bowl commercial.Digitas Chicago/NERDS

NERDS Returns to the Big Game with an Exciting New Ad to Unleash the Senses Featuring Singer-Songwriter Shaboozey

Shaboozey also thinks paying tribute to Armstrong during a year when the Super Bowl is taking place in New Orleans is a “cool little music history lesson for the kids watching.”

The full Nerds ad is set to air during the third quarter of the2025 Super Bowlon Sunday, Feb. 9.

source: people.com