Have you ever wondered about the origins of that black-and-white Parental Advisory symbol seen on the artwork of explicit music releases? It dates back to the late 1980s, when culture clashed with conservative views—a battle that made its way all the way to the highest court in the land, and resulted in an iconic bit of graphic design.

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​That bygone era found Prince and big-hair bands pushing the bounds of sexual expression while rap music’s social critique and street culture were becoming mainstream. In response, Tipper Gore, wife of a future vice president, created the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), a group of lawmakers, parents, and clergy seeking to curb and censor what they deemed offensive music. They saw it as the root of societal ills—rising crime, child suicide, sexual abuse—leading to blockbuster congressional hearings with musicians John Denver, Frank Zappa, and Dee Snider (of Twisted Sister) defending creative freedom and artists’ freedom of speech.