Singer Yamani Abdillah drops famous father's name to step out of his shadows

The son of renowned Malaysian singer Jamal Abdillah has changed his stage name to simply "Yamani". Photo: Filepics

Yamani Abdillah was recently eliminated from reality singing series, Big Stage, for failing to find his own musical identity.

It's especially difficult for the 18-year-old, as he has to bear the extra burden of living up to his father's legacy. Yamani is the son of famous Malaysian singer Datuk Jamal Abdillah.

"In the beginning, I felt a lot of pressure and confusion," he shares with mStar, The Star's Malay-language portal, about constantly being compared to his father.

"After a while I got used to it but people will still compare me to him as long as I still have the name 'Abdillah'".

As such, the up-and-coming singer has decided to change his stage name to simply "Yamani".

"I'm doing it because perhaps it's a way for people to see me differently."

Yamani is Jamal's eldest son. Zaki, 13, Jamal's second son, is also keen to pursue a music career.