Flip the Script: How Women Came to Rule Hip Hop

404 Inklings #6

by Arusa Qureshi

Hip hop is an art form that originated in the margins, and can be simultaneously devastating and celebratory; an expression of pain, love and desire or an ode to the other, the underdog and the underground. For Arusa Qureshi, it became a safe haven, the genre she turned to in highs and lows. In particular, it was the women to whom she owes her thanks.

Flip the Script explores many of the phenomenal women who have paved the way in UK hip hop both at the forefront and behind the scenes, through interviews, research and Qureshi's lifelong love of the form. From the influence of the genre's beginnings in the Bronx to formation of distinctive regional scenes across the country, the barriers women faced to the magazines and club nights that fostered thriving hip hop communities, readers get to know the women who led the charge in one of the country's most innovative and exciting music scenes, and those picking up the torch today.

This is a love letter to UK hip hop, and to the women changing the game.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Essays

Paperback

Published October 28, 2021

Reviews

[Luce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect way to start off my 2023 reading. Arusa Qureshi takes a brief tour of some of the prominent and pioneering women of hip-hop, with a focus on the UK scene but acknowledging the women making a splash across the pond. She speaks of each woman with respect for their talents and contributions, admiration for their ingenuity, and with a noticeable excitement about what they can offer the future of UK hip hop. The political significance of rap, particularly that created and performed by women and minority genders, is vastly underestimated and homogenised so it's exciting to hear Qureshi's voice (alongside the rappers she interviewed for this book) which works towards changing that.

[Maša Knez · Rating 5 out of 5]

there's beauty in all differences. at the end of the day, it's poetry

[Kerttu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tämä oli varmaan oikeasti neljän tai viiden tähden kirja, mutta gradun aiheuttaman tutkimusartikkeli-ähkyn vuoksi arvosana tipahti kolmeen. Nyt oli totaalisen väärä aika lukea mitään näin analyyttista huvikseen, ja se ei missään nimessä ole kirjan syy.

Tosi mielenkiintoisia lyhyitä artikkeleita britti-skenen naisräppäreistä ja heidän vaikutuksistaan ja asemoinneistaan genren sisällä eri vaiheissa. Energisempänä aikana olisin varmasti myös jaksanut paneutua artisteihin enemmän: nyt lukukokemuksen syventymistä rajoitti se, että tunsin käsitellyistä räppäreistä vain muutaman.

[Abdelaziz AlMulla · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a masterpiece of a book!

I have always enjoyed Hip Hop since childhood. It has always been something that I found empowering with its words and articulate with the way it is spoken. Inspired and motivated by movements, Hip Hop is a genre that aims to send messages of struggles and pain.

Flip the Script: How Women Came to Rule Hip Hop is a book that does justice to, not only women in Hip Hop, but to the Hip Hop genre in general. The author reflects on her personal story with Hip Hop, and goes on to tell the stories of rappers and artists involved in the Hip Hop culture. More precisely, the Hip Hop culture in the UK. Arusa Qureshi tackles issues such as sexism and misogyny within Hop Hop and the struggles that women face within the culture. More than that, she addresses the issue of Hip Hop not being taken seriously as a genre and culture in the UK. However, she does give props to the fact that there is hope, with many Hip Hop artists being awarded for their accomplishments and their talent.

This book is definitely one that I would recommend to those who are into Hip Hop and its culture, and to those who would like to learn more about the cultural experiences of others

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold the door open for the next wave of talent!
An insightful dive into the roots of female hip hop, the challenges and underestimation faced compared to male counterparts—highlighting the UK scene and emerging regional voices. I liked the section on Speech Debelle.
A well written and researched book. I hope for follow up in the future.

[Bella Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read; it’s well researched, informative, and features many snippets of interviews with artists who share their insights into the female experience and how women have shaped hip hop .

[Amelia Barnard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great bite size history of women’s contribution to one of my fave music genres. I think what I like particularly about this book is that it covers quite a lot on British hip hop, which I loved as I didn’t know much about the women from the UK scene. So it made for a really interesting read.

[Sam Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is fantastic

[Jonny Brick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously necessary, with a fine set of recommendations and a great slate of interviewees. Far too short a book!

[Lis · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXPANDED EDITION NOW.

[Eilidh Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice wee book with some excellent music recs.

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

just lovely!

[Holly (honestly.holly) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

Ok!

[✨ Brianna Raquel ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have so many thoughts...

[Jillian Halket · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incisive journey into the blossoming world of hip-hop and the role of women in developing some of the most important art from the scene.

Qureshi's fascinating study into the roots of hip-hop in the UK details with care and heartfelt admiration the innumerable ways in which women have been a steadfast influence in the subculture.

'Flip the Script' shows us how important representation truly is and urges us not to let the contributions of so many important artists be written out of history.

The book is an ode to the bold women of an empowering and magnetic scene and Qureshi does them such justice in her writing which holds a sparkling vibrance reminscent of the hip-hop that was the soundtrack to so much of her own life.