Today we’d like to introduce you to Corey (HateOnRay) Gammon.
Hi Corey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story really starts in the nightlife. I’ve always been drawn to the aesthetic of it. the people, the chaos, the way a good experience can completely change someone’s night. I started out in the service industry working the same way everybody else does: long shifts, late nights, learning to deal with every personality that walks through the door. But that environment taught me two things early on — work ethic and resilience.
I built a reputation for being the one who could handle anything. I’ve always wanted to be my own boss which led to the beginning of Coal Hearted Hookah & Coal Hearted Cocktails established back in 2019.
We were a mobile bartending and hookah service specializing in third party staffing, private& corporate events. I was grinding, traveling across the country, building connections, and running hookah/ bar setups in a way that made people pay attention. I wasn’t just giving out coals and liquor — I was creating a vibe. And people noticed.
As we grew, the work started taking me everywhere: Philadelphia, New York, Jersey, Miami, Atlanta— we were moving nonstop.
And those experiences started attracting bigger clients. Over time, we’ve serviced celebrities, music artists, VH1 and Bravo reality stars, NBA players — people who expect high-level service and trust you to deliver. Working with that level of clientele pushed me to elevate everything about what I do.
But the biggest part of my journey happened when I was living and servicing Atlanta while still traveling back and forth to Philadelphia to take care of my sick father. That period changed me. I was balancing long nights, high-profile clients, constant travel — and then turning around and stepping into a completely different reality at home. When he passed, it shifted something in me. It made me realize life is too short to play small with your gifts.
That’s where the rebrand came in. I made the decision to step away from my original business partnership and stand alone. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. I wanted a brand that reflected my growth, my standard, and my story. That’s how EMBR City was born — a luxury mobile experience built from everything I’ve learned: the grind, the heartbreak, the travel, the celebrity clients, the discipline, and the belief that I was meant to lead, not follow.
Today, I’m here because I never stopped. Through the long nights, the cross-state hustle, the personal loss, and even through rebuilding on my own. EMBR City represents my evolution — from cold-hearted survival mode to someone who creates experiences with intention, professionalism, and passion.
And honestly… this is only the beginning!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road. Everything I’ve built came with challenges — both personal and professional. In this industry, nothing is handed to you. I’ve had to learn through trial and error, through long nights, and through moments where I was juggling more than most people ever see.
One of the biggest challenges was balancing my business while traveling back and forth between Atlanta and Philadelphia to take care of my father during his illness. I was servicing high-profile clients and running events in one city, then getting on a plane to be a caretaker in another. When he passed, it hit me hard. It forced me to rebuild myself emotionally while still keeping my business alive.
I also faced the challenge of rebranding and stepping away from a business partnership. Starting over alone is never simple — you question yourself, you fight through doubt, and you rebuild your client trust from the ground up. But it taught me independence, leadership, and how to stand on my own name. One of the hardest things I had to learn was that just because you give good business doesn’t mean you’re going to get good business. Meaning just because I showed up and executed everything professionally doesn’t mean I would always get the same energy back.
There were financial struggles, burnout moments, mistakes, and times where I had to reinvent my entire approach just to keep moving. But every struggle sharpened me. It made EMBR City stronger. It made me stronger.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m known for creating unforgettable atmospheres — whether it’s through my mobile bartending and hookah company, EMBR City, or through my music as HATEONRAY. Over the years I’ve built a reputation for turning simple gatherings into full productions, servicing major cities, celebrities, and high-demand clients. At the same time, I’ve expanded creatively into music, using my experiences in the industry and my personal journey to shape the HATEONRAY brand.
A lot of people can bartend or set up hookahs, but I built EMBR City off real hustle, real customer service, and the ability to turn any space into a moment people remember. I’ve worked in multiple cities, catered to celebrities, and built my reputation one event at a time with consistency and authenticity. On top of that, I’m also building myself as the artist HATEONRAY, so I bring creativity, storytelling, and a whole different level of energy that most in my lane don’t have.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
So many people deserve credit for where I am today. My supporters, the people who booked me before the brand had a name, shared my work, and stood behind my growth. But I also owe a huge thank you to the friends who became my first employees before I could even afford a team: Ciani Moore, Morgan Gant, Malaysha Mallard, Foster Justice, Tyree Peters, Brendan Sams and my ex partners. They showed up to events, carried equipment, learned the business with me, and helped me build from the ground up. I’m forever grateful for my friend Bianca Bonnie who was the first to put me in rooms with other celebrities. She pushed me to step outside of my shell and network and from that I received plenty of bookings A special recognition to my Aunt Yolanda… she always believed in me, even in the moments where I didn’t have the strength to believe in myself. Her faith in me kept me pushing. I’m standing here because of all of them.
Pricing:
- Coal Ct (5 unlimited hookahs) $350
- Puff Pkwy (10 unlimited hookahs) $625
- Ember St (15 unlimited hookahs) $1100
- Hookah Hwy (20 unlimited hookahs) $1750
- Bussin Blvd (30 unlimited hookahs) $2300
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Personal: https://www.instagram.com/hate.on_ray and Embr City: https://www.instagram.com/embrcity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AFbTeHFJr/
Image Credits
Zachary Zegalia
Nicholas Betancur
