A few years ago not many people outside of Milwaukee had heard of WebsterX. But the young rapper has been making waves. His 2017 album, "Daymares," was named the best local album of 2017 by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. And he was selected for NPR’s "Slingshot" series spotlighting local artists.

"He is electricity with a microphone," said Justin Barney, music director for Radio Milwaukee. "He’s got something about him, where he’s got the X-factor. He’s got that magic dust on him."

Barney said WebsterX is on par with the national hip hop talents, a sign that music in Milwaukee is taking off. But to Wisconsin’s music critics, it's just one example of the diverse music scene bubbling up in different corners of the state, marked by growing bands and music venues to host them.

Over the last decade, for example, music and art in western Wisconsin has flourished in the wake of indie folk band Bon Iver's rise to national prominence, headed by Eau Claire local Justin Vernon. His critically acclaimed breakthrough album — "For Emma, Forever Ago" — was famously written and recorded in a Dunn County cabin.

La Crosse band Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers similarly borrow inspiration from their hometown scenery, but more in the style of Gillian Welch, according to Randy Erickson, a reporter covering arts and entertainment for the La Crosse Tribune.

"It’s kind of Dust Bowl diddies, infused with some humor, some nostalgic whimsy, great harmonies," said Erickson.

The duo nabbed John Wood as a producer for their new album, out in March. Wood is known for working with nationally-acclaimed artists like Cat Stevens, Pink Floyd and Nick Drake, Erickson said.

Erickson said newer venues like The Brickhouse in La Crosse are helping foster the growing music scene there.

"There’s a lot of original music of all genres going on," he said.

Madison is also seeing its fair share of new music spaces.

A 2,500-capacity venue is currently under construction near downtown. The venue could bring in more national acts to the city. But Isthmus staff writer Allison Geyer says that shouldn’t dampen the thriving local scene.

"I don’t know how much what’s going on in the bigger venues will affect the local scene because the smaller venues that do cater to these bands and their fan bases are also doing very well," Geyer said. "I’m really excited to see what the next few years bring to Madison, because it’s already so good."

Geyer points out the city’s strong garage rock scene, with bands like The Hussy and Proud Parents.

"The sound of Madison is eclectic," Geyer said.

Some parts of Wisconsin are just beginning to see a music scene emerge.

Appleton’s scene has been growing since it began hosting the free folk music festival Mile of Music in 2013.

"That has been the catalyst for a lot of change in the last five years," said Shane Nyman, an Appleton-based entertainment reporter for USA Today Network-Wisconsin. "(It) really has made original music a step up in the Fox Cities. It’s become more welcoming, there are more bars willing to book original acts, and there’s been more people willing to go out on a limb and play original music in a market that’s been dominated by cover bands."

One of the area’s big claims to fame is the folk band Dead Horses, which has ties to both Oshkosh and Milwaukee. The band is about to release its third album and has garnered national media coverage.

But a local studio, called The Refuge, built in a former monastery, has also gained recognition from national artists seeking a private space to create.

"There could be interesting things coming out of there this year too," Nyman said.