I like how you underestimate the brand she's built as well as the tens of millions of fans who adore her. You need to have the "it" factor or intangibles as well as the technical execution...the promotional push is just icing on the cake. Her fans didn't like her just cuz she got promo (Cassie and Tierra Marie both get/got pushes from their labels, yet they suck so fans aren't buying it) her fans got her to the point of where she's at cuz she's a BOSS at what she does.
And stop with the "take away the major label" bullshyt, damn near all transcendent artists are/were on a major - Michael Jackson, janet, Mariah, whitney, Madonna, Britney, Rihanna, Celine dion, etc. - and no one handicaps their chart performance or accomplishments because of it. ,that independent shyt is for nikkas/internet famous artists who can't get signed to lucrative deals from the majors so they rationalize their status on an independent.