Final answer:
Simone's music shared common themes with other African American popular music through her portrayal of racial struggles and cultural pride. Yet, her unique blend of gospel, blues, and classical influences marked a divergence in the musical approach from her contemporaries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Simone's music compared to other African American popular music at the time embraced similar themes, such as racial struggles and heritage pride, as seen in other genres like blues and jazz. However, it diverged in its unique musical approach which blended a variety of influences including gospel, blues, and classical. Simone's classically trained background, combined with her deep, expressive vocals, set her apart from contemporary popular music, giving her work a distinctive touch that often went beyond the traditional confines of popular music genres of her time.
The musical landscape for African Americans was rich and varied, featuring spirituals that combined West African and Christian elements, blues that evolved from these spirituals with artists like Bessie Smith, and jazz which reflected life in African American enclaves. Simone's music, much like jazz, was an intricate tapestry woven from these historical threads but stood out for its bold and unapologetic portrayal of the African American experience. Thus, while she shared common themes with her contemporaries, her classical training and personal style contributed to a significant divergence in musical approach.