Shortly after that report was published, Billboard debunked the tour claim. A “high level” source told Billboard that reports of Rihanna having a multi-year contract with Live Nation are “bogus,” adding, “no tour has been confirmed for Rihanna.” The outlet did not, however, dispute the claim that Rihanna plans to release new music next year.

Rihanna spoke about the state of her music in February. A new album in 2023 was the original goal, she told British Vogue, then she and Rocky announced their second pregnancy.

“I want it to be this year,” she said then. “Like, honestly, it’d be ridiculous if it’s not this year. But I just want to have fun. I just want to make music and make videos.”

While Rihanna admitted that Anti was her “most brilliant album,” she conceded that its legacy and her perfectionist tendency have been getting in the way of her releasing her next work.

“I realized that if I keep waiting until this feels right and perfect and better, maybe it’s going to keep taking forever and maybe it’ll never come out and no, I’m not down to that,” she said of the upcoming album. “So I want to play. And by play, I mean I have my ideas in my head, but I can’t say them out loud yet.”