The music industry is done with people like her- they want to make money on something else. Thats not to say she won't make great music on a smaller scale and without the hassle of record industry people on her back.
The music biz doesn't give a rat's ass who is making money for them(witness what is out there). Right now, rap and generic R&B are what sell, so in their traditional sense, the record companies will beat it to death. And they have.
The only thing record companies can do that someone cannot by themselves is distribute a physical CD globally(and give radio people $ and drugs and sexual favors). You don't need a record company to make an album. In fact, you're better off doing it yourself.
Vanessa works constantly. That is a strength. She still believes in what she is doing and can deliver consistently. That is a large part of the battle.
The rest of the battle is the record company getting out there and pushing the CD. If not, she may be better off releasing CD's independently. There is no shortage of independent artists that were once on a major label, and there is no shame involved in that.
I don't care if Vanessa is on A&M, S&M, or any other bunch of weasels masquerading as a record company. I'll bet she sleeps damn well at night knowing that she is not a sell-out.
Dan/NS