NY traffic violations ensnare rapper Flavor Flav

Rapper Flavor Flav was headed back to Las Vegas Friday after his arrest a day earlier on traffic-related charges in New York.

The 54-year-old, whose real name is William Drayton, was stopped Thursday morning in Hempstead after New York State Police clocked him driving 79 mph in a 55-mph zone.

Drayton, who is best-known as the hype man for the iconic hip-hop group Public Enemy, was arrested on charges of felony aggravated unlicensed operation and unlawful possession of marijuana, in addition to other traffic violations. A hearing was set for Jan. 28 in a Hempstead court.

Lawyer Kristina Wildeveld, who represents the rapper in an assault case in Las Vegas, said her client was late for his mother’s funeral procession and “swears” he was driving only 72 mph when he was stopped.

In Las Vegas, Drayton faces felony domestic violence charges for allegedly threatening his fiancee’s then-17-year-old son with a butcher knife in October 2012. A trial is set for April 28.

It’s not known if his new case will affect his bail status in the Las Vegas case.