Growing up on the South Side, a young Kyra Kyles never knew that being opinionated would someday pay. So imagine her surprise when she joined RedEye in 2005 and got an official forum to spout off on issues including the CTA, pop culture, race relations and local personalities. As a former album reviewer for publications including Rap Sheet, Vibe.com and the Sun-Times, Kyra also focuses on the continuing evolution of hip-hop, her favorite musical genre.

If you're not fed up with her every-other-Friday general interest columns on Page 4 of RedEye, catch her on the "Stan & Terry Show" (105.9 FREE-FM) on Fridays at 11 a.m. She also talks to viewers during the "According to Kyra" segments airing weekdays on CLTV at 7:45, 8:45 and 9:45 p.m.

E-mail your thoughts and questions directly to Kyra at kkyles@tribune.com.

Recent Columns:

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December 26, 2008
'Twas the day after Christmas ...
Are you experiencing one or more of these symptoms?

December 5, 2008
Give it up, already
Consider this your official warning, eyeballs and eardrums everywhere: BET founder Bob Johnson may be returning to the programming biz.

November 21, 2008
Confronting racism in three small steps
Feel that multicultural magic in the air?

October 31, 2008
Make a pledge to call the cops
Forget the flowers.

October 17, 2008
Is this pop culture Armageddon?
Gather some canned goods. Stock up on bottled water. Head deep into the concrete bunkers.

October 3, 2008
Rappers getting political this year
It's safe to say that hip-hop music and culture are under intense scrutiny.

September 19, 2008
It's easy pickings on celebs today
Sometimes picking on pop culture denizens just doesn't feel right.

August 8, 2008
Horn honking: It's all the rage
Earlier this week, I committed a cardinal sin on the streets of Chicago.