The Black Eyed Peas are not breaking up just taking a break

will.i.am got fans of the Black Eyed Peas nervous when he skipped out on the launch party for the band’s video game, The Black Eyed Peas Experience. However, the group appeared on The Ellen Degeneres show to squash rumors of a permanent break up, announcing that they are just taking a break.

The rumor started when will.i.am did not show up to the party Monday night, but Fergie, apl.de.ap and Taboo did. According to EntertainmentWise, will.i.am confirmed that he skipped out just because he had a cold.

He tweeted, “Everyone at the super club tonight for the @bep experience...I won't be attending the party...I'm sick with a bad cold...#gohome :(.”

will.i.am was well enough to appear with the group at a taping of The Ellen Degeneres Show Tuesday, which will air this Wednesday. All four members made it clear that there is no rift between the band members and that they are just taking a much-needed break, Reuters reports.

apl.de.ap said that he will take the time to focus on his role as education ambassador in his native Philippines. will.i.am said that the break is actually normal for the group. We “always have two cycles of records and then we take a break,” he said, adding that during the break, “we work on side projects and get our personal stuff in order to then come back and make beautiful music.”

The Black Eyed Peas actually announced that they were taking a break earlier this month, when Fergie revealed that she wants a baby with her husband, Josh Duhamel.

“We have to respect Ferg. Ferg is our sister. She definitely wants to have a family, and we're happy for her,” Taboo said at the time.