Following their last album Monkey Business, the members of hip hop band Black Eyed Peas branched out to pursue solo projects, leaving many fans worried that BEP had unofficially broken up.
They're back with a new album called The E.N.D, a title which may get fans worried all over again. But don't worry; the band isn't breaking up, and this isn't their swansong - E.N.D. stands for 'energy never dies'.
During the hiatus, will.i.am. release a solo album called Songs About Girls, played a supporting role in Wolverine and lent his voice to a hippo in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. He also produced material for Michael Jackson and U2, and helped make rapper Flo Rida a star.
The sole female member of the band, Fergie also released a solo album, The Dutchess, which went multi-platinum. She also caught the acting bug, taking a role in movie musical Nine, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz.
Joining his bandmates on the silver screen, apl.de.ap acted in the independent movie Subject: I Love You. He also became an Ambassador of Tourism for the Philippines, his homeland, and started the apl Foundation, which helps needy children in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Taboo became a family man, marrying his longtime girlfriend and spending more time with his son, Joshua. He, too, took the opportunity to act, in Cosmic Radio and Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.
Despite the seeming finality of the album name, will.i.am says it is actually about the transformation of energy at a time of change.