Anna Kendrick: The Pop Vocalist and Actress

Anna Kendrick is an American actress and singer who has successfully transitioned from screen to studio. Her musical achievements are anchored by the global chart-topping success of the single "Cups (When I'm Gone)," which propelled her into the pop music spotlight.

Early career

Born in 1985 in Portland, Maine, Anna Kendrick's performing career began on Broadway as a teenager. Her early musical recognition came from her role in the 2003 film "Camp," for which she performed several songs and earned a National Board of Review award.

While she continued building her acting profile, her next major musical contribution arrived in 2009. She performed the audition song "The Climb" for her character in the hit film "Up in the Air," showcasing her vocal talent to a wider audience.

Breakthrough

Anna Kendrick's true musical breakthrough occurred in 2012 with the release of "Cups (When I'm Gone)." The song, featured in the film "Pitch Perfect," became a viral pop culture phenomenon.

The track was released as a single by Universal Music Enterprises and soared to number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It achieved multi-platinum certifications in several countries, including a 5x platinum award in the United States.

Key tracks

Cups (When I'm Gone) — This a cappella-pop hybrid became a global smash, defining her musical identity and earning massive sales certifications.

When I'm Gone — The original a cappella arrangement performed in "Pitch Perfect" demonstrated her vocal control and sparked the viral trend.

True Colors — Her duet with Justin Timberlake for the "Trolls" soundtrack highlighted her ability to collaborate with major pop stars.

Girl On Fire — Her cover for the "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" soundtrack added a haunting, stripped-back dimension to the popular anthem.

Musical expansion and albums

Capitalizing on the success of "Pitch Perfect," Kendrick contributed numerous songs to the franchise's soundtracks, which enjoyed strong chart performance. The "Pitch Perfect 2" soundtrack debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart in 2015.

She further solidified her pop vocalist credentials by releasing her debut studio album, "The Last Five Years," in 2014. This album consisted of covers from the musical of the same name, in which she also starred in the film adaptation.

Her musical collaborations extend beyond film, including a featured role on Ben Folds' 2015 track "You Don't Know Me." Kendrick's music continues to resonate, with streams of her key tracks consistently numbering in the hundreds of millions across platforms.

Artists with a similar blend of actor-turned-singer appeal and catchy pop sensibilities include Zooey Deschanel who fronts She & Him with a vintage pop style. Hailee Steinfeld also successfully navigates both acting and a pop music career. Listeners might also enjoy the theatrical pop of Darren Criss. For more pure pop songcraft, explore Kelly Clarkson who also possesses powerful vocal delivery.

Anna Kendrick's pop anthems and film soundtrack hits maintain a strong presence on radio. Her songs are staples on top 40 stations, adult contemporary FM channels, and online pop music streams featured across our network.

You can hear the music of Anna Kendrick regularly across the pop and contemporary radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to discover her key tracks and enjoy her contributions to modern pop music through our featured broadcasters.