Actually, in rock, stuff on independent labels have been superior to mainstrea-stuff since the late 70's. Meanwhile, entire genres like Hip-Hop, house and techno pretty much came out of indie-labels who were later picked up by majors; I don't see it as anything new really. It might be partly new in R&B though which has been quite corporate since the 60's I think even if there's a long tradition of indie-labels putting out quality stuff there too...