Final answer:
The coon song ushered in the popularity of ragtime by incorporating African-American musical elements. Ragtime was a genre that blended black spirituals with Euro-American folk music, creating a uniquely Southern sound. Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" became a popular ragtime composition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The coon song ushered in the popularity of ragtime by incorporating African-American musical elements. Ragtime is a genre that blended black spirituals with Euro-American folk music. It was born in red-light districts and interracial dance halls, where white and black musicians created a uniquely Southern sound. The success of ragtime led to the spread of the genre and the popularity of ragtime compositions like Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag".