Arusa Qureshi Interview (Flip the Script)
Arusa Qureshi is a writer and editor based in Edinburgh, focused on diversity and accessibility within arts and culture. She is the former editor of The List and writes mostly about music. Her new book is Flip the Script, a book about women in UK hip-hop.
How did you get to where you are today, professionally?
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up playing the violin, piano and guitar and was obsessed with performing, to the point where I really thought studying music was the path for me. But then I discovered writing and journalism as a teen and realised that I was much better at writing about music than I was playing it. When I eventually became the editor of my school magazine, it was all over for me.
I knew that journalism was what I really wanted to do, but growing up in Scotland I didn’t see many other people of colour in that field and, as a result, just didn’t think it was a possibility for me. But I was determined to at least try and pursue this thing I enjoyed doing so much so I studied English Literature at Edinburgh University (where I did my dissertation on defiance in the poetry of hip hop), and then went on to do a Masters in Magazine Publishing at Edinburgh Napier. I don’t think doing a Masters degree is the most important thing in the world but it was the right choice for me at that time, largely because I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship that covered my costs. I definitely wouldn’t have been there without it!