i think it's hard to say quintessential because part of whats great about them is all the phases and periods, so there would have to be one for each period.
I dont know about quintessential but these are the first ones that come to mind for me when i think of performances for each period:
License to Ill - Live In London
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyrizURRt3o
Pauls Boutique - Shadrack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1Rlg5fNQu0
Check Your Head - Arsenio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU94CfiwgjA
Ill Communication - SNL
https://vimeo.com/37353791
Hello Nasty -Philly 98
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxv6vA1zfPY
To The Five Boros
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG-l36Ab9Sk
Post Era - Hip Hop Honors
https://youtu.be/0nEgkAXcvmA?t=101